GSM evolution packet data traffic channel resource transmission management—fixed uplink allocation technique

ABSTRACT

A radio access network node (e.g., Base Station Subsystem), a wireless device (e.g., a mobile station), and various methods are described herein for improving the allocation of radio resources in wireless communications. In one embodiment, the radio access network node and wireless device implement a fixed uplink allocation technique. In another embodiment, the radio access network node and wireless device implement a flexible downlink allocation technique.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/006,703, filed on Jan. 26, 2016, which claims the benefit of priorityto U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/108,489, filed on Jan. 27,2015. The entire contents of each of these applications are herebyincorporated by reference for all purposes.

RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This application is related to the following co-filed application: U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/007,009 entitled “GSM EVOLUTION PACKETDATA TRAFFIC CHANNEL RESOURCE TRANSMISSION MANAGEMENT—FLEXIBLE DOWNLINKALLOCATION TECHNIQUE”, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,854,574, the entire contentsof which are hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to the wireless communicationsfield and, more particularly, to a radio access network node (e.g., BaseStation Subsystem), a wireless device (e.g., a mobile station), andvarious methods for improving the allocation of radio resources forwireless communications. In one embodiment, the radio access networknode and wireless device implement a fixed uplink allocation technique.In another embodiment, the radio access network node and wireless deviceimplement a flexible downlink allocation technique.

BACKGROUND

The following abbreviations and terms are herewith defined, at leastsome of which are referred to within the following description of thepresent disclosure.

-   3GPP 3rd-Generation Partnership Project-   ACK Acknowledge-   AGCH Access Grant Channel-   ASIC Application Specific Integrated Circuit-   BLER Block Error Rate-   BSS Base Station Subsystem-   CC Coverage Class-   EC Extended Coverage-   eDRX Extended Discontinuous Receive Cycle-   EC-AGCH Extended Coverage Access Grant Channel-   EC-PCH Extended Coverage Paging Channel-   DSP Digital Signal Processor-   EDGE Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution-   EGPRS Enhanced General Packet Radio Service-   FAI Final Acknowledge Indicator-   FDA Flexible Downlink Allocation-   FN Frame Number-   FUA Fixed Uplink Allocation-   GSM Global System for Mobile Communications-   GERAN GSM/EDGE Radio Access Network-   GPRS General Packet Radio Service-   HARQ Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request-   IMSI International Mobile Subscriber Identity-   IoT Internet of Things-   LLC Logical Link Control-   LTE Long-Term Evolution-   MCS Modulation and Coding Scheme-   MS Mobile Station-   MTC Machine Type Communications-   PCH Paging Channel-   PDN Packet Data Network-   PDTCH Packet Data Traffic Channel-   PDU Protocol Data Unit-   RACH Random Access Channel-   RAN Radio Access Network-   RAI Routing Area Identity-   RAU Routing Area Update-   RLC Radio Link Control-   RRBP Relative Reserved Block Period-   SGSN Serving GPRS Support Node-   TDMA Time Division Multiple Access-   TFI Temporary Flow Identity-   TS Time Slot-   TSC Training Sequence Code-   TSG Technical Specifications Group-   UE User Equipment-   USF Uplink State Flag-   WCDMA Wideband Code Division Multiple Access-   WiMAX Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access    Coverage Class: At any point in time a device belongs to a specific    uplink/downlink coverage class that corresponds to either the legacy    radio interface performance attributes that serve as the reference    coverage for legacy cell planning (e.g., a Block Error Rate of 10%    after a single radio block transmission on the PDTCH) or a range of    degraded radio interface performance attributes compared to the    reference coverage (e.g., up to 20 dB less than the reference    coverage). Coverage class determines the total number of blind    transmissions to be used when transmitting/receiving radio blocks.    An uplink/downlink coverage class applicable at any point in time    can differ between different logical channels. Upon initiating a    system access a device determines the uplink/downlink coverage class    applicable to the RACH/AGCH based on estimating the number of blind    transmissions of a radio block needed by the BSS receiver/device    receiver to experience a BLER (block error rate) of approximately    10%. The BSS determines the uplink/downlink coverage class to be    used by a device on the device's assigned packet channel resources    based on estimating the number of blind transmissions of a radio    block needed to satisfy a target BLER and considering the number of    HARQ retransmissions (of a radio block) that will, on average, be    required for successful reception of a radio block using that target    BLER. Note: a device operating with radio interface performance    attributes corresponding to the reference coverage is considered to    be in the best coverage class (i.e., coverage class 1) and therefore    does not make blind transmissions.    eDRX cycle: eDiscontinuous reception (eDRX) is a process of a    wireless device disabling its ability to receive when it does not    expect to receive incoming messages and enabling its ability to    receive during a period of reachability when it anticipates the    possibility of message reception. For eDRX to operate, the network    coordinates with the wireless device regarding when instances of    reachability are to occur. The wireless device will therefore    wake-up and enable message reception only during pre-scheduled    periods of reachability. This process reduces the power consumption    which extends the battery life of the wireless device and is    sometimes called (deep) sleep mode.    Nominal Paging Group: The specific set of EC-PCH blocks a device    monitors once per eDRX cycle. The device determines this specific    set of EC-PCH blocks using an algorithm that takes into account its    IMSI, its eDRX cycle length and its downlink coverage class.

As discussed in the 3GPP TSG-GERAN Meeting #63 Tdoc GP-140624, entitled“Cellular IoT-PDCH UL Resource Management,” dated Aug. 25-29, 2014 (thecontents of which are hereby incorporated herein for all purposes), theGSM Evolution (now referred to as EC-GSM) will use the concept ofpre-allocating radio blocks on uplink (UL) EC-Packet Data TrafficChannel (PDTCH) resources in the interest of avoiding Uplink Status Flag(USF) based uplink transmissions for wireless devices operating inextended coverage, and to optimize the energy consumption in thewireless device when in packet transfer mode. The present disclosuredescribes various ways for improving the allocation of radio resourcesin wireless communications to address a need associated with the conceptof pre-allocating radio blocks or radio resources on the UL EC-PDTCH. Inaddition, the present disclosure describes various ways for improvingthe allocation of radio resources in wireless communication to address aneed associated with the concept of pre-allocating radio blocks or radioresources on the DL EC-PDTCH.

SUMMARY

A radio access network node (e.g., BSS), a wireless device and variousmethods for addressing at least the aforementioned needs are describedin the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the radio accessnetwork node (e.g., BSS), the wireless device and the various methodsare further described in the dependent claims.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a radio access network(RAN) node configured to interact with a core network (CN) node and awireless device. The RAN node comprises a processor and a memory thatstores processor-executable instructions, wherein the processorinterfaces with the memory to execute the processor-executableinstructions, whereby the RAN node is operable to perform a receiveoperation and a transmit operation. In the receive operation, the RANnode receives one or more repetitions of an access request message fromthe wireless device. The access request message comprises: an indicationof a number of data blocks the wireless device intends to transmit tothe RAN node. In the transmit operation, the RAN node transmits one ormore repetitions of an uplink assignment message. The uplink assignmentmessage comprises: (a) an indication of a number of pre-allocated radioblocks on a packet data traffic channel; (b) an indication of an Uplink(UL) coverage class; and (c) an indication of a starting point of thepre-allocated radio blocks that the wireless device is to use totransmit a first data block from the data blocks that the wirelessdevice intends to transmit to the RAN node. An advantage of the RAN nodeimplementing these operations is that it can support uplink datatransmissions for a wireless device operating in an extended coveragecondition for which the legacy USF based mechanism commonly used forsupporting uplink data transmissions is not feasible.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method in a radioaccess network (RAN) node configured to interact with a core network(CN) node and a wireless device. The method comprises a receiving stepand a transmitting step. In the receiving step, the RAN node receivesone or more repetitions of an access request message from the wirelessdevice. The access request message comprises: an indication of a numberof data blocks the wireless device intends to transmit to the RAN node.In the transmitting step, the RAN node transmits one or more repetitionsof an uplink assignment message. The uplink assignment messagecomprises: (a) an indication of a number of pre-allocated radio blockson a packet data traffic channel; (b) an indication of an Uplink (UL)coverage class; and (c) an indication of a starting point of thepre-allocated radio blocks that the wireless device is to use totransmit a first data block (202 ₁) from the data blocks that thewireless device intends to transmit to the RAN node. An advantage of theRAN node implementing these steps is that it can support uplink datatransmissions for a wireless device operating in an extended coveragecondition for which the legacy USF based mechanism commonly used forsupporting uplink data transmissions is not feasible.

In yet another aspect, the present disclosure provides a wireless deviceconfigured to interact with a radio access network (RAN) node. Thewireless device comprises a processor and a memory that storesprocessor-executable instructions, wherein the processor interfaces withthe memory to execute the processor-executable instructions, whereby thewireless device is operable to perform a transmit operation and areceive operation. In the transmit operation, the wireless devicetransmits one or more repetitions of an access request message to theRAN node. The access request message comprises: an indication of anumber of data blocks the wireless device intends to transmit to the RANnode. In the receive operation, the wireless device receives one or morerepetitions of an uplink assignment message from the RAN node. Theuplink assignment message comprises: (a) an indication of a number ofpre-allocated radio blocks on a packet data traffic channel; (b) anindication of an Uplink (UL) coverage class; and (c) an indication of astarting point of the pre-allocated radio blocks that the wirelessdevice is to use to transmit a first data block from the data blocksthat the wireless device intends to transmit to the RAN node. Anadvantage of the wireless device implementing these operations is thatit can support uplink data transmissions while operating in an extendedcoverage condition for which the legacy USF based mechanism commonlyused for supporting uplink data transmissions is not feasible.

In still yet another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method ina wireless device configured to interact with a radio access network(RAN) node. The method comprises a transmitting step and a receivingstep. In the transmitting step, the wireless device transmits one ormore repetitions of an access request message to the RAN node. Theaccess request message comprises: an indication of a number of datablocks the wireless device intends to transmit to the RAN node. In thereceiving step, the wireless device receives one or more repetitions ofan uplink assignment message from the RAN node. The uplink assignmentmessage comprises: (a) an indication of a number of pre-allocated radioblocks on a packet data traffic channel; (b) an indication of an Uplink(UL) coverage class; and (c) an indication of a starting point of thepre-allocated radio blocks that the wireless device is to use totransmit a first data block from the data blocks that the wirelessdevice intends to transmit to the RAN node. An advantage of the wirelessdevice implementing these steps is that it can support uplink datatransmissions while operating in an extended coverage condition forwhich the legacy USF based mechanism commonly used for supporting uplinkdata transmissions is not feasible.

Additional aspects of the present disclosure will be set forth, in part,in the detailed description, figures and any claims which follow, and inpart will be derived from the detailed description, or can be learned bypractice of the invention. It is to be understood that both theforegoing general description and the following detailed description areexemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the presentdisclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present disclosure may be obtainedby reference to the following detailed description when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary wireless communication network whichcomprises a CN node, multiple RAN nodes, and multiple wireless deviceswhich are configured in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2 is a signal flow diagram illustrating the signaling associatedwith a wireless device making an uplink small data transmission to a RANnode utilizing a fixed uplink allocation technique in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method implemented in the RAN node shown inFIG. 2 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary structure of the RANnode shown in FIG. 2 configured in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method implemented in the wireless deviceshown in FIG. 2 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary structure of thewireless device shown in FIG. 2 configured in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a signal flow diagram illustrating the signaling associatedwith a wireless device receiving a downlink small data transmission froma RAN node utilizing a flexible downlink allocation technique inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method implemented in the RAN node shown inFIG. 7 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary structure of the RANnode shown in FIG. 7 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a method implemented in the wireless deviceshown in FIG. 7 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary structure of thewireless device shown in FIG. 7 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a signal flow diagram illustrating the signaling associatedwith a wireless device receiving a downlink small data transmission froma RAN node utilizing a flexible downlink allocation technique inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a method implemented in the RAN node shown inFIG. 12 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary structure of theRAN node shown in FIG. 12 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a method implemented in the wireless deviceshown in FIG. 12 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure; and

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary structure of thewireless device shown in FIG. 12 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A discussion is provided first herein to describe an exemplary wirelesscommunication network that includes a CN node (e.g., SGSN), multiple RANnodes (e.g., BSSs), and multiple wireless devices which are configuredin accordance with the present disclosure (illustrated in FIG. 1). Then,a discussion is provided to disclose how a RAN node and a wirelessdevice can implement a fixed uplink allocation technique in accordancewith an embodiment of the present disclosure (illustrated in FIGS. 2-6).Thereafter, a discussion is provided to disclose how a RAN node and awireless device can implement a flexible downlink allocation techniquein accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure (illustratedin FIGS. 7-16).

Exemplary Wireless Communication Network 100

Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated an exemplary wirelesscommunication network 100 in accordance with the present disclosure. Thewireless communication network 100 includes a core network 106 (whichcomprises a CN node 107) and multiple RAN nodes 102 ₁ and 102 ₂ (onlytwo shown) which interface with multiple wireless devices 104 ₁, 104 ₂,104 ₃ . . . 104 _(n). The wireless communication network 100 alsoincludes many well-known components, but for clarity, only thecomponents needed to describe the features of the present disclosure aredescribed herein. Further, the wireless communication network 100 isdescribed herein as being a GSM/EGPRS wireless communication network 100which is also known as an EDGE wireless communication network 100.However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that thetechniques of the present disclosure which are applied to the GSM/EGPRSwireless communication network 100 are generally applicable to othertypes of wireless communication systems, including, for example, WCDMA,LTE, and WiMAX systems.

The wireless communication network 100 includes the RAN nodes 102 ₁ and102 ₂ (only two shown) which provide network access to the wirelessdevices 104 ₁, 104 ₂, 104 ₃ . . . 104 _(n). In this example, the RANnode 102 ₁ is providing network access to wireless device 104 ₁ whilethe RAN node 102 ₂ is providing network access to wireless devices 104₂, 104 ₃ . . . 104 _(n). The RAN nodes 102 ₁ and 102 ₂ are connected tothe core network 106 (e.g., SGSN core network 106) and, in particular,to the CN node 107 (e.g., SGSN 107). The core network 106 is connectedto an external packet data network (PDN) 108, such as the Internet, anda server 110 (only one shown). The wireless devices 104 ₁, 104 ₂, 104 ₃. . . 104 _(n) may communicate with one or more servers 110 (only oneshown) connected to the core network 106 and/or the PDN 108.

The wireless devices 104 ₁, 104 ₂, 104 ₃ . . . 104 _(n) may refergenerally to an end terminal (user) that attaches to the wirelesscommunication network 100, and may refer to either a MTC device (e.g., asmart meter) or a non-MTC device. Further, the term “wireless device” isgenerally intended to be synonymous with the term mobile device, mobilestation (MS). “User Equipment,” or UE, as that term is used by 3GPP, andincludes standalone wireless devices, such as terminals, cell phones,smart phones, tablets, and wireless-equipped personal digitalassistants, as well as wireless cards or modules that are designed forattachment to or insertion into another electronic device, such as apersonal computer, electrical meter, etc.

Likewise, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the term RANnode 102 ₁ and 102 ₂ is used herein in the most general sense to referto a base station, a wireless access node, or a wireless access point ina wireless communication network 100, and may refer to RAN nodes 102 ₁and 102 ₂ that are controlled by a physically distinct radio networkcontroller as well as to more autonomous access points, such as theso-called evolved Node Bs (eNodeBs) in Long-Term Evolution (LTE)networks.

Each wireless device 104 ₁, 104 ₂, 104 ₃ . . . 104 _(n) may include atransceiver circuit 110 ₁, 110 ₂, 110 ₃ . . . 110 _(n) for communicatingwith the RAN nodes 102 ₁ and 102 ₂, and a processing circuit 112 ₁, 112₂, 112 ₃ . . . 112 _(n) for processing signals transmitted from andreceived by the transceiver circuit 110 ₁, 110 ₂, 110 ₃ . . . 110 _(n)and for controlling the operation of the corresponding wireless device104 ₁, 104 ₂, 104 ₃ . . . 104 _(n). The transceiver circuit 110 ₁, 110₂, 110 ₃ . . . 110 _(n) may include a transmitter 114 ₁, 114 ₂, 114 ₃ .. . 114 _(n) and a receiver 116 ₁, 116 ₂, 116 ₃ . . . 116 _(n), whichmay operate according to any standard, e.g., the GSM/EDGE standard. Theprocessing circuit 112 ₁, 112 ₂, 112 ₃ . . . 112 _(n) may include aprocessor 118 ₁, 118 ₂, 118 ₃ . . . 118 _(n) and a memory 120 ₁, 2102,120 ₃ . . . 120 _(n) for storing program code for controlling theoperation of the corresponding wireless device 104 ₁, 104 ₂, 104 ₃ . . .104 _(n). The program code may include code for performing theprocedures as described hereinafter with respect to FIGS. 5, 10, and 15.

Each RAN node 102 ₁ and 102 ₂ may include a transceiver circuit 122 ₁and 122 ₂ for communicating with wireless devices 104 ₁, 104 ₂, 104 ₃ .. . 104 _(n), a processing circuit 124 ₁ and 124 ₂ for processingsignals transmitted from and received by the transceiver circuit 122 ₁and 122 ₂ and for controlling the operation of the corresponding RANnode 102 ₁ and 102 ₂, and a network interface 126 ₁ and 126 ₂ forcommunicating with the core network 106. The transceiver circuit 122 ₁and 122 ₂ may include a transmitter 128 ₁ and 128 ₂ and a receiver 130 ₁and 130 ₂, which may operate according to any standard, e.g., theGSM/EDGE standard. The processing circuit 124 ₁ and 124 ₂ may include aprocessor 132 ₁ and 132 ₂, and a memory 134 ₁ and 134 ₂ for storingprogram code for controlling the operation of the corresponding RAN node102 ₁ and 102 ₂. The program code may include code for performing theprocedures as described hereinafter with respect to FIGS. 3, 8, and 13.

The CN node 107 (e.g., SGSN 107, Mobility Management Entity (MME) 107)may include a transceiver circuit 136 for communicating with the RANnodes 102 ₁ and 102 ₂, a processing circuit 138 for processing signalstransmitted from and received by the transceiver circuit 136 and forcontrolling the operation of the CN node 107, and a network interface140 for communicating with the RAN nodes 102 ₁ and 102 ₂. Thetransceiver circuit 136 may include a transmitter 142 and a receiver144, which may operate according to any standard, e.g., the GSM/EDGEstandard. The processing circuit 138 may include a processor 146 and amemory 148 for storing program code for controlling the operation of theCN node 107. The program code may include code for performing theprocedures as described hereinafter.

Fixed Uplink Allocation Technique

The Fixed Uplink Allocation (FUA) technique is used on the uplink of anEC-PDTCH by providing a wireless device 104 ₂ (for example) with a fixedstarting point to transmit each one of a set of RLC data radio blocks202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(n) from its buffered user plane payload to theRAN node 102 ₂ (for example), as briefly described below and thendescribed in more detail with respect to FIGS. 2-6.

-   -   A feature of the FUA technique is that wireless device 104 ₂ is        pre-allocated, in an uplink assignment message 206 (e.g.,        EC-AGCH Resource Assignment message 206), a set of radio blocks        over up to 4 timeslots where the wireless device 104 ₂        subsequently transmits one or more RLC data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂        . . . 202 x to the RAN node 102 ₂, where each RLC data block 202        ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 x is repeated according to a value for        N_(TX, UL) indicated by the uplink assignment message 206.    -   The set of radio blocks are allocated so that all repetitions of        each specific RLC data block 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 x are        transmitted contiguously but without needing that each of the        RLC data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 x be transmitted        contiguous to each other.    -   After the transmission of its RLC data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . .        202 x on the pre-allocated radio blocks, the wireless device 104        ₂ waits for a corresponding Packet Uplink Ack/Nack (PUAN)        message 208, which occurs within a variable amount of time after        the wireless device 104 ₂ transmits the last allocated radio        block. The PUAN message 208 provides an Ack/Nack bitmap and        another set of pre-allocated uplink radio blocks (if        necessary—i.e., when all of the RLC data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . .        . 202 x have not been successfully received by the RAN node 102        ₂) so that the wireless device 104 ₂ may continue its uplink        transmission.

An exemplary sequence of signaling steps associated with the FUAtechnique is illustrated in FIG. 2 and described in detail below withrespect to the wireless device 104 ₂ (e.g., IoT device 104 ₂) having anuplink coverage class needing N_(TX, UL) repetitions, a downlinkcoverage class needing N_(TX, DL) repetitions, and needing X MCS-1 codedRLC data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 x to send its user plane payload.The exemplary signaling steps associated with the wireless device 104 ₂initiating an uplink small data transmission to transmit its user planepayload to the RAN node 102 ₂ are as follows:

Step 1: The wireless device 104 ₂ transmits multiple repetitions of aSmall Data Request message 204 (e.g., access request message 204) on theEC-Random Access Channel (RACH) to the RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS 102 ₂).The number of repetitions is determined based on the wireless device'sestimated uplink (UL) coverage class (note: a wireless device in normalcoverage would use a single transmission (i.e., not repeated) whentransmitting a Small Data Request message 204 on the RACH/EC-RACH). TheSmall Data Request message 204 can be configured as follows:

-   -   The wireless device 104 ₂ includes information within the Small        Data Request message 204 as indicated by TABLE #1, where the        Number of MCS-1 Coded Blocks field is used to indicate the        wireless device 104 ₂ has X MCS-1 RLC data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ .        . . 202 x to transmit to the RAN node 102 ₂.    -   An indication of whether or not the wireless device 104 ₂        supports MCS-5 through MCS-9 is indicted by the TSC used when        transmitting the Small Data Request message 204 as per legacy        operation.    -   The Small Data Request message 204 transmitted on the EC-RACH        includes an indication of the DL coverage class estimated by the        wireless device 104 ₂.    -   System Information (SI) transmitted on timeslot (TS) 1 indicates        that if a wireless device 104 ₃ (for example) is in normal        coverage (N_(TX, UL)=N_(TX, DL)=1) then it is to perform a        system access using the RACH of TS0 or the RACH of TS1. Note:        the System Information (SI) would be transmitted by the RAN node        102 ₂ before the wireless device 104 ₃ uses the RACH to transmit        the Small Data Request message 204.

TABLE #1 Content of Small Data Request Message 204 Number of Type ofMCS-1 Coded Priority Random DL Cover- Device Access Blocks IndicatorBits age Class Identity Request (4 bits) (1 bit) (3 bits) (3 bits) (32bits) AB on TS0 Yes Yes Yes No¹ No AB on TS1 Yes Yes Yes Yes No NB onTS0 Yes Yes No No¹ Yes NB on TS1 Yes Yes No Yes Yes NOTE¹: Not neededsince the access is always when in normal coverage on UL and DL

Step 2: The Uplink Assignment message 206 is transmitted by the RAN node102 ₂ to the wireless device 104 ₂ on the EC-AGCH using a number ofrepetitions as indicated by the DL coverage class value included in theSmall Data Request message 204:

-   -   The Uplink Assignment message 206 indicates the number of        pre-allocated MCS-1 coded UL radio blocks X, the starting point        of the pre-allocated radio blocks needed for sending the first        RLC data block 202 ₁ (for example) on the assigned EC-PDTCH        resources (e.g., expressed as an offset relative to where the        Uplink Assignment message 206 is received), as well as the        starting points of the pre-allocated radio blocks needed for        sending the additional RLC data blocks 202 ₂, 202 ₃ . . . 202 x,        where each RLC data block 202 ₁, 202 ₂, 202 ₃ . . . 202 x is        sent using N_(TX, UL) repetitions.    -   The Uplink Assignment message 206 also indicates the DL coverage        class N_(TX, DL) and the UL coverage class N_(TX, UL) to be used        by the wireless device 104 ₂ on the assigned EC-PDTCH resources.        This DL coverage class may override the DL coverage class        indicated by the wireless device 104 ₂ in the Small Data Request        message 204.    -   For example, if the uplink payload needing transmission consists        of 5 MCS-1 RLC data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂, 202 ₃, 202 ₄ and 202 ₅        (X=5) and N_(TX, UL) indicates 8 repetitions are needed, then a        total of 40 radio blocks (X*N_(TX, UL)) needs to be transmitted.        Each RLC data block 202 ₁, 202 ₂, 202 ₃, 202 ₄ and 202 ₅ will        then be transmitted using 8 pre-allocated contiguous radio        blocks.    -   The Uplink Assignment message 206 may indicate a coding scheme        other than MCS-1 (e.g., depending on the capability of the        wireless device 104 ₃ (for example) when sent in response to a        Small Data Request message 204 from a wireless device 104 ₃ (for        example) in normal coverage.    -   The set of N_(TX, UL), pre-allocated radio blocks used for        transmitting any given RLC data block 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 x        can be transmitted using compact burst mapping.

Step 3: A HARQ scheme can be used for transmitting the uplink payloadwherein, after transmitting the set of X RLC data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ .. . 202 x, the wireless device 104 ₂ waits for a corresponding PUANmessage 208.

Step 4: The RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS 102 ₂) transmits the PUAN message208 after attempting to receive the set of X RLC data blocks 202 ₁, 202₂ . . . 202 x from the wireless device 104 ₂.

-   -   The wireless device 104 ₂ may start looking for an expected PUAN        message 208 in the first DL EC-Packet Associated Control Channel        (PACCH) block (corresponding to the wireless device 104 ₂'s DL        coverage class) following the last pre-allocated radio block        that the wireless device 104 ₂ used to transmit the N_(TX, UL)        repetitions of the last UL RLC data block 202 x (i.e., RLC data        block X).    -   The wireless device 104 ₂ examines fixed sets of EC-PACCH blocks        based on the wireless device 104 ₂'s assigned DL coverage class        (i.e., N_(TX, DL)). For example, if the wireless device 104 ₂        uses N_(TX, DL)=2 (i.e., 2 blind repetitions) it will only look        at fixed pairs of EC-PACCH blocks in an attempt to receive a        matching PUAN message 208. As such, the wireless device 104 ₂        will view each 52-multiframe on a monitored TS as potentially        containing 6 pairs of EC-PACCH blocks, where any one of these        pairs may potentially contain the wireless device 104 ₂'s        expected PUAN message 208.    -   If the expected PUAN message 208 is not received within the        first possible set of EC-PACCH blocks, then the wireless device        104 ₂ may attempt to receive the PUAN message 208 within the        next possible set of EC-PACCH blocks but within the context of a        certain maximum time window.    -   When the expected PUAN message 208 is received and indicates Y        RLC data blocks 202 ₃, 202 ₅ and 202 ₁₀ (for example) are        missing, they are re-transmitted to the RAN node 102 ₂ by the        wireless device 104 ₂ using the new set of pre-allocated uplink        radio blocks indicated by the PUAN message 208 (see step 5).    -   The PUAN message 208 may also indicate a new value for        N_(TX, UL) that the wireless device 104 ₂ is to apply when        resending the Y remaining RLC data blocks 202 ₃, 202 ₅ and 202        ₁₀ (for example) (see step 5).    -   If the expected PUAN message 208 is not received within a        maximum allowed time window, the wireless device 104 ₂ will        abort the uplink transmission. The RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS 102        ₂), upon transmitting the PUAN message 208 and not detecting any        uplink radio blocks 202 ₃, 202 ₅ and 202 ₁₀ (for example) on the        pre-allocated resources, may resend the PUAN message 208 using        EC-PACCH blocks according to N_(TX, DL) (e.g., upon deciding to        resend the PUAN message 208, the RAN node 102 ₂ will apply the        same N_(TX, DL) used previously for that wireless device 104 ₂).    -   The RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS 102 ₂) may abort the uplink        transmission after failing to receive the missing RLC data        blocks 202 ₃, 202 ₅ and 202 ₁₀ (for example) after resending the        PUAN message 208 an implementation-specific number of times.

Step 5: Step 3 is repeated but the wireless device 104 ₂ transmits the YRLC data blocks 202 ₃, 202 ₅ and 202 ₁₀ (for example) instead oftransmitting the X RLC data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 x.

Step 6: After all the RLC data blocks X RLC data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . .. 202 x have been received, the RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS 102 ₂)re-assembles a Logical Link Control (LLC) PDU 209 (comprising anInternet Protocol (IP) Packet using the X RLC data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ .. . 202 x) and transmits the LLC PDU 209 to the CN node 107 (e.g., SGSN107).

Step 7: The RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS 102 ₂) transmits a PUAN message210 to the wireless device 104 ₂ indicating that all X RLC data blocks202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 x have been received and including a Final AckIndicator (FAI) set to indicate completion of the uplink transmission.The wireless device 104 ₂ receives the PUAN message 210 on the EC-PACCH,as described in Step 4, and realizes that all X RLC data blocks 202 ₁,202 ₂ . . . 202 x have been received by the RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS102 ₂). The RAN node 102 ₂/wireless device 104 ₂ then releases theassigned UL EC-PDTCH resources after sending/receiving the PUAN message210 except for the case where the priority field of the Small DataRequest message 204, in Step 1, indicated a high priority (e.g., analarm), in which case Step 8 below may be applicable.

Step 8: The Packet Control Ack message 212 is optional but wouldtypically be used for the case where the UL payload (X RLC data blocks202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 x) was transmitted for an alarm reporting event(e.g., since alarm reporting needs more reliability). The wirelessdevice 104 ₂ transmits the Packet Control Ack message 212 using a singleuplink EC-PACCH block repeated according to the NU_(TX, UL) value lastprovided by the RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS 102 ₂) to the wireless device104 ₂.

-   -   The RRBP field in the header of the EC-PACCH block used to send        the PUAN message 210 indicates the starting point of the        pre-allocated UL radio blocks to be used to transmit the Packet        Control Ack message 212 (e.g., N_(TX, UL) radio blocks are        pre-allocated).    -   If the RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS 102 ₂) fails to receive an        expected Packet Control Ack message 212, then the RAN node 102 ₂        (e.g., BSS 102 ₂) may re-transmit the PUAN message 210 an        implementation-specific number of times and then abort the        uplink transmission, as in Step 4.    -   The wireless device 104 ₂ that receives a PUAN message 210        soliciting the transmission of a Packet Control Ack message 212        shall, after transmitting the Packet Control Ack message 212,        continue to monitor the DL for possible EC-PACCH messages for a        limited time interval Z (e.g., indicated by the PUAN message        210) for the possible arrival of a repeated PUAN message 210        soliciting the re-transmission of the Packet Control Ack message        212.    -   If no additional PUAN message 210 is received during the time        interval Z, then the wireless device 104 ₂ releases the assigned        UL EC-PDTCH resources.

Note: Due to the half-duplex nature of the FUA technique, nosimultaneous downlink reception will occur during the time of an uplinktransmission.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is a flowchart of a method 300 implemented inthe RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS 102 ₂) shown in FIG. 2 in accordance withan embodiment of the present disclosure. At step 302, the RAN node 102 ₂receives one or more repetitions of an access request message 204 (e.g.,Small Data Request message 204) from the wireless device 104 ₂ (forexample) (see FIG. 2's step 1 for additional details). The accessrequest message 204 can comprise: (a) an indication of a number of datablocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) the wireless device 104 ₂ intends totransmit to the RAN node 102 ₂; and (b) an indication (N_(TX, DL)) of aDL coverage class estimated by the wireless device 104 ₂. The number ofrepetitions of the access request message 204 is based on the ULcoverage class.

At step 304, the RAN node 102 ₂ transmits one or more repetitions of anuplink assignment message 206 to the wireless device 104 ₂ (see FIG. 2'sstep 2 for additional details). The uplink assignment message 206 cancomprise: (a) an indication of a number of pre-allocated radio blocks ona packet data traffic channel; (b) an indication (N_(TX, UL)) of an ULcoverage class; and (c) an indication of a starting point of thepre-allocated radio blocks that the wireless device 104 ₂ is to use totransmit a first data block 202 ₁ (for example) from the data blocks 202₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) that the wireless device 104 ₂ intends totransmit to the RAN node 102 ₂; (d): an indication (N_(TX, DL)) of a DLcoverage class; and (e) an indication of starting points of thepre-allocated radio blocks that the wireless device 104 ₂ is to use totransmit data blocks 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) (for example) subsequent tothe first data block 202 ₁ (for example) that the wireless device 104 ₂intends to transmit to the RAN node 102 ₂. The number of repetitions ofthe uplink assignment message 206 is based on the DL coverage classN_(TX, DL). As discussed above, the pre-allocated radio blocks areallocated by the RAN node 102 ₂ such that (1) all repetitions of each ofthe data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) are to be transmittedcontiguously by the wireless device 104 ₂, and (2) the pre-allocatedradio blocks are allocated such that each of the data blocks 202 ₁, 202₂ . . . 202 _(x) does not need to be transmitted contiguously withrespect to one another by the wireless device 104 ₂.

At step 306, the RAN node 102 ₂ receives from the wireless device 104 ₂a portion of the number of data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) whichwere indicated in the access request message 204 (see FIG. 2's step 3for additional details—note: the wireless device 104 ₂ transmits all ofthe data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) and ideally the RAN node 102₂ would receive all of the data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) butin this example the RAN node 102 ₂ does not receive data blocks 202 ₃,202 ₅ and 202 ₁₀). The RAN node 102 ₂ would receive the portion of thenumber of data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) in the portion of thepre-allocated radio blocks. Plus, each of the received data blocks 202₁, 202 ₂, 202 ₄, 202 ₆, 202 ₇, 202 ₈, 202 ₉, 202 ₁₁ . . . 202 _(x) (forexample) would have been repeated a number of times (N_(TX, UL)) by thewireless device 104 ₂ according to the UL coverage class.

At step 308, the RAN node 102 ₂ transmits one or more repetitions of afirst acknowledgment message 208 (e.g., PUAN message 208) to thewireless device 104 ₂ (see FIG. 2's step 4 for additional details). Thefirst acknowledgment message 208 comprises: (a) a first bitmapindicating the portion of the number of data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . .202 _(x) that have been received and a remaining portion of the numberof data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) that have not been received(note: in this example the RAN node 102 ₂ did not receive data blocks202 ₃, 202 ₅ and 202 ₁₀); (b) an indication of another number ofpre-allocated radio blocks on the packet data traffic channel that thewireless device 104 ₂ is to use to transmit the remaining portion of thenumber of data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) which in this exampleare data blocks 202 ₃, 202 ₅ and 202 ₁₀; and (c) an indication(N_(TX, DL)) of a DL coverage class. The number of repetitions of thefirst acknowledgment message 208 is based on the DL coverage class.

At step 310, the RAN node 102 ₂ receives from the wireless device 104 ₂the remaining portion of the number of data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . .202 _(x) which in this example are data blocks 202 ₃, 202 ₅ and 202 ₁₀(see FIG. 2's step 5 for additional details). The RAN node 102 ₂ wouldreceive the remaining portion of the number of data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂. . . 202 _(x) in the pre-allocated radio blocks indicated by the firstacknowledgement message 208. Plus, each of the received data blocks 202₃, 202 ₅ and 202 ₁₀ would have been repeated a number of times(N_(TX, UL)) by the wireless device 104 ₂ according to the UL coverageclass.

At steps 312 and 314, the RAN node 102 ₂ assembles (step 312) an LLC PDU209 including the received portion and the received remaining portion ofthe number of data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) (i.e., all of thedata blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x)) and transmits (step 314) theLLC PDU 209 to the CN node 107 (e.g., SGSN 107) (see FIG. 2's step 6 foradditional details).

At step 316, the RAN node 102 ₂ transmits one or more repetitions of asecond acknowledgment message 210 (e.g., PUAN message 210) to thewireless device 104 ₂ (see FIG. 2's step 7 for additional details). Thesecond acknowledgment message 210 comprises a second bitmap indicatingthat all of data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) have been receivedby the RAN node 102 ₂ and a Final Ack Indicator (FAI) indicatingcompletion of the uplink transmission. The number of repetitions of thesecond acknowledgment message 210 is based on the DL coverage class.

At step 318, the RAN node 102 ₂ receives one or more repetitions of athird acknowledgment message 212 (e.g., Packet Control Ack message 212)from the wireless device 104 ₂ (see FIG. 2's step 8 for additionaldetails). The third acknowledgment message 212 comprises an indicationthat the second acknowledgment message 210 (e.g., PUAN message 210) hasbeen received by the wireless device 104 ₂. The third acknowledgmentmessage 212 would have been repeated a number of times (N_(TX, UL)) bythe wireless device 104 ₂ according to the UL coverage class. The otherRAN node 102 ₁ can also be configured in a similar manner to performmethod 300.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is a block diagram illustrating structures ofan exemplary RAN node 102 ₂ (for example) configured in accordance withan embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the RAN node102 ₂ may comprise a first receive module 402, a first transmit module404, a second receive module 406, a second transmit module 408, a thirdreceive module 410, an assemble module 412, a third transmit module 414,a fourth transmit module 416, and a fourth receive module 418. The RANnode 102 ₂ may also include other components, modules or structureswhich are well-known, but for clarity, only the components, modules orstructures needed to describe the features of the present disclosure aredescribed herein.

The first receive module 402 is configured to receive one or morerepetitions of an access request message 204 (e.g., Small Data Requestmessage 204) from the wireless device 104 ₂ (for example) (see FIG. 2'sstep 1 for additional details). The access request message 204 cancomprise: (a) an indication of a number of data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . .. 202 _(x) the wireless device 104 ₂ intends to transmit to the RAN node102 ₂; and (b) an indication (N_(TX, DL)) of a DL coverage classestimated by the wireless device 104 ₂. The number of repetitions of theaccess request message 204 is based on the UL coverage class.

The first transmit module 404 is configured to transmit one or morerepetitions of an uplink assignment message 206 to the wireless device104 ₂ (see FIG. 2's step 2 for additional details). The uplinkassignment message 206 can comprise: (a) an indication of a number ofpre-allocated radio blocks on a packet data traffic channel; (b) anindication (N_(TX, UL)) of an UL coverage class; and (c) an indicationof a starting point of the pre-allocated radio blocks that the wirelessdevice 104 ₂ is to use to transmit a first data block 202 ₁ (forexample) from the data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) that thewireless device 104 ₂ intends to transmit to the RAN node 102 ₂; (d): anindication (N_(TX, DL)) of a DL coverage class; and (e) an indication ofstarting points of the pre-allocated radio blocks that the wirelessdevice 104 ₂ is to use to transmit data blocks 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) (forexample) subsequent to the first data block 202 ₁ (for example) that thewireless device 104 ₂ intends to transmit to the RAN node 102 ₂. Thenumber of repetitions of the uplink assignment message 206 is based onthe DL coverage class. As discussed above, the pre-allocated radioblocks are allocated by the RAN node 102 ₂ such that (1) all repetitionsof each of the data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) are to betransmitted contiguously by the wireless device 104 ₂, and (2) thepre-allocated radio blocks are allocated such that each of the datablocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) does not need to be transmittedcontiguously with respect to one another by the wireless device 104 ₂.

The second receive module 406 is configured to receive from the wirelessdevice 104 ₂ a portion of the number of data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . .202 _(x) which were indicated in the access request message 204 (seeFIG. 2's step 3 for additional details—note: the wireless device 104 ₂transmits all of the data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) and ideallythe RAN node 102 ₂ would receive all of the data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . .. 202 _(x) but in this example the RAN node 102 ₂ does not receive datablocks 202 ₃, 202 ₅ and 202 ₁₀). The RAN node 102 ₂ would receive theportion of the number of data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) in theportion of the pre-allocated radio blocks. Plus, each of the receiveddata blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂, 202 ₄, 202 ₆, 202 ₇, 202 ₈, 202 ₉, 202 ₁₁ . .. 202 _(x) (for example) would have been repeated a number of times(N_(TX, UL)) by the wireless device 104 ₂ according to the UL coverageclass.

The second transmit module 408 is configured to transmit one or morerepetitions of a first acknowledgment message 208 (e.g., PUAN message208) to the wireless device 104 ₂ (see FIG. 2's step 4 for additionaldetails). The first acknowledgment message 208 comprises: (a) a firstbitmap indicating the portion of the number of data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂. . . 202 _(x) that have been received and a remaining portion of thenumber of data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) that have not beenreceived (note: in this example the RAN node 102 ₂ did not receive datablocks 202 ₃, 202 ₅ and 202 ₁₀); (b) an indication of another number ofpre-allocated radio blocks on the packet data traffic channel that thewireless device 104 ₂ is to use to transmit the remaining portion of thenumber of data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) which in this exampleare data blocks 202 ₃, 202 ₅ and 202 ₁₀; and (c) an indication(N_(TX, DL)) of a DL coverage class. The number of repetitions of thefirst acknowledgment message 208 is based on the DL coverage class.

The third receive module 410 is configured to receive from the wirelessdevice 104 ₂ the remaining portion of the number of data block 202 ₁,202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) which in this example are data blocks 202 ₃, 202 ₅and 202 ₁₀ (see FIG. 2's step 5 for additional details). The RAN node102 ₂ would receive the remaining portion of the number of data blocks202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) in the pre-allocated radio blocks indicatedby the first acknowledgement message 208. Plus, each of the receiveddata blocks 202 ₃, 202 ₅ and 202 ₁₀ would have been repeated a number oftimes (N_(TX, UL)) by the wireless device 104 ₂ according to the ULcoverage class.

The assemble module 412 is configured to assemble an LLC PDU 209including the received portion and the received remaining portion of thenumber of data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) (i.e., all of the datablocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x). The third transmit module 414 isconfigured to transmit the LLC PDU 209 to the CN node 107 (e.g., SGSN107) (see FIG. 2's step 6 for additional details).

The fourth transmit module 416 is configured to transmit one or morerepetitions of a second acknowledgment message 210 (e.g., PUAN message210) to the wireless device 104 ₂ (see FIG. 2's step 7 for additionaldetails). The second acknowledgment message 210 comprises a secondbitmap indicating that all of data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x)have been received by the RAN node 102 ₂ and a Final Ack Indicator (FAI)indicating completion of the uplink transmission. The number ofrepetitions of the second acknowledgment message 210 is based on the DLcoverage class.

The fourth receive module 418 is configured to receive one or morerepetitions of a third acknowledgment message 212 (e.g., Packet ControlAck message 212) from the wireless device 104 ₂ (see FIG. 2's step 8 foradditional details). The third acknowledgment message 212 comprises anindication that the second acknowledgment message 210 (e.g., PUANmessage 210) has been received by the wireless device 104 ₂. The thirdacknowledgment message 212 would have been repeated a number of times(N_(TX, UL)) by the wireless device 104 ₂ according to the UL coverageclass.

As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the above-described modules402, 404, 406, 408, 410, 412, 414, 416 and 418 of the RAN node 102 ₂(e.g., BSS 102 ₂) may be implemented separately as suitable dedicatedcircuits. Further, the modules 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, 412, 414, 416and 418 can also be implemented using any number of dedicated circuitsthrough functional combination or separation. In some embodiments, themodules 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, 412, 414, 416 and 418 may be evencombined in a single application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Asan alternative software-based implementation, the RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g.,BSS 102 ₂) may comprise a memory 134 ₂, a processor 132 ₂ (including butnot limited to a microprocessor, a microcontroller or a Digital SignalProcessor (DSP), etc.) and a transceiver 122 ₂. The memory 134 ₂ storesmachine-readable program code executable by the processor 132 ₂ to causethe RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS 102 ₂) to perform the steps of theabove-described method 300. It should be appreciated that the other RANnode 102 ₁ can also be configured in a similar manner as the RAN node102 ₂ to perform method 300.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is a flowchart of a method 500 implemented ina wireless device 104 ₂ (for example) in accordance with an embodimentof the present disclosure. At step 502, the wireless device 104 ₂transmits one or more repetitions of an access request message 204(e.g., Small Data Request message 204) to the RAN node 102 ₂ (forexample) (see FIG. 2's step 1 for additional details). The accessrequest message 204 can comprise: (a) an indication of a number of datablocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) the wireless device 104 ₂ intends totransmit to the RAN node 102 ₂; and (b) an indication (N_(TX, DL)) of aDL coverage class estimated by the wireless device 104 ₂. The number ofrepetitions (N_(TX, UL)) of the access request message 204 is based onthe UL coverage class.

At step 504, the wireless device 104 ₂ receives one or more repetitionsof an uplink assignment message 206 from the RAN node 102 ₂ (see FIG.2's step 2 for additional details). The uplink assignment message 206can comprise: (a) an indication of a number of pre-allocated radioblocks on a packet data traffic channel; (b) an indication (N_(TX, UL))of an UL coverage class; and (c) an indication of a starting point ofthe pre-allocated radio blocks that the wireless device 104 ₂ is to useto transmit a first data block 202 ₁ (for example) from the data blocks202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) that the wireless device 104 ₂ intends totransmit to the RAN node 102 ₂; (d): an indication (N_(TX, DL)) of a DLcoverage class; and (e) an indication of starting points of theremaining pre-allocated radio blocks that the wireless device 104 ₂ isto use to transmit the remaining data blocks 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) (forexample) from the data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) that thewireless device 104 ₂ intends to transmit to the RAN node 102 ₂. Thenumber of repetitions of the uplink assignment message 206 is based onthe DL coverage class. As discussed above, the pre-allocated radioblocks are allocated by the RAN node 102 ₂ such that (1) all repetitionsof each of the data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) are to betransmitted contiguously by the wireless device 104 ₂, and (2) thepre-allocated radio blocks are allocated such that each of the datablocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) does not need to be transmittedcontiguously with respect to one another by the wireless device 104 ₂.

At step 506, the wireless device 104 ₂ transmits the data blocks 202 ₁,202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) which were indicated in the access request message204 to the RAN node 102 ₂ (see FIG. 2's step 3 for additionaldetails—note: the wireless device 104 ₂ in this example transmits all ofthe data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) and ideally the RAN node 102₂ would receive all of the data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) butin this example the RAN node 102 ₂ does not receive data blocks 202 ₃,202 ₅ and 202 ₁₀). The wireless device 104 ₂ transmits data blocks 202₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) in the pre-allocated radio blocks. Plus, each ofthe transmitted data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) would have beenrepeated a number of times (N_(TX, UL)) by the wireless device 104 ₂according to the UL coverage class.

At step 508, the wireless device 104 ₂ receives one or more repetitionsof a first acknowledgment message 208 (e.g., PUAN message 208) from theRAN node 102 ₂ (see FIG. 2's step 4 for additional details). The firstacknowledgment message 208 comprises: (a) a first bitmap indicating theportion of the number of data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) thathave been received by the RAN node 102 ₂ and a remaining portion of thenumber of data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) that have not beenreceived by the RAN node 102 ₂ (note: in this example the RAN node 102 ₂did not receive data blocks 202 ₃, 202 ₅ and 202 ₁₀); (b) an indicationof another number of pre-allocated radio blocks on the packet datatraffic channel that the wireless device 104 ₂ is to use to transmit theremaining portion of the number of data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202_(x) which in this example are data blocks 202 ₃, 202 ₅ and 202 ₁₀; and(c) an indication (N_(TX, DL)) of an DL coverage class. The number ofrepetitions of the first acknowledgment message 208 is based on the DLcoverage class.

At step 510, the wireless device 104 ₂ transmits the remaining portionof the number of data block 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) which in thisexample are data blocks 202 ₃, 202 ₅ and 202 ₁₀ to the RAN node 102 ₂(see FIG. 2's step 5 for additional details). The RAN node 102 ₂ wouldreceive the remaining portion of the number of data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂. . . 202 _(x) in the pre-allocated radio blocks indicated by the firstacknowledgement message 208. Plus, each of the received data blocks 202₃, 202 ₅ and 202 ₁₀ would have been repeated a number of times(N_(TX, UL)) by the wireless device 104 ₂ according to the UL coverageclass.

At step 512, the wireless device 104 ₂ receives one or more repetitionsof a second acknowledgment message 210 (e.g., PUAN message 210) from theRAN node 102 ₂ (see FIG. 2's step 7 for additional details). The secondacknowledgment message 210 comprises a second bitmap indicating that allof data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) have been received by the RANnode 102 ₂ and a Final Ack Indicator (FAI) indicating completion of theuplink transmission. The number of repetitions of the secondacknowledgment message 210 is based on the DL coverage class.

At step 514, the wireless device 104 ₂ transmits one or more repetitionsof a third acknowledgment message 212 (e.g., Packet Control Ack message212) to the RAN node 102 ₂ (see FIG. 2's step 8 for additional details).The third acknowledgment message 212 comprises an indication that thesecond acknowledgment message 210 (e.g., PUAN message 210) has beenreceived by the wireless device 104 ₂. The third acknowledgment message212 is repeated a number of times (N_(TX, UL)) by the wireless device104 ₂ according to the UL coverage class. The other wireless device 104₁, 104 ₃ . . . 104 _(n) can also be configured in a similar manner toperform method 500.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is a block diagram illustrating structures ofan exemplary wireless device 104 ₂ (for example) configured inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In oneembodiment, the wireless device 104 ₂ may comprise a first transmitmodule 602, a first receive module 604, a second transmit module 606, asecond receive module 608, a third transmit module 610, a third receivemodule 612, and fourth transmit module 614. The wireless device 104 ₂may also include other components, modules or structures which arewell-known, but for clarity, only the components, modules or structuresneeded to describe the features of the present disclosure are describedherein.

The first transmit module 602 is configured to transmit one or morerepetitions of an access request message 204 (e.g., Small Data Requestmessage 204) to the RAN node 102 ₂ (for example) (see FIG. 2's step 1for additional details). The access request message 204 can comprise:(a) an indication of a number of data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x)the wireless device 104 ₂ intends to transmit to the RAN node 102 ₂; and(b) an indication (N_(TX, DL)) of a DL coverage class estimated by thewireless device 104 ₂. The number of repetitions of the access requestmessage 204 is based on the UL coverage class.

The first receive module 604 is configured to receive one or morerepetitions of an uplink assignment message 206 from the RAN node 102 ₂(see FIG. 2's step 2 for additional details). The uplink assignmentmessage 206 can comprise: (a) an indication of a number of pre-allocatedradio blocks on a packet data traffic channel; (b) an indication(N_(TX, UL)) of an UL coverage class; and (c) an indication of astarting point of the pre-allocated radio blocks that the wirelessdevice 104 ₂ is to use to transmit a first data block 202 ₁ (forexample) from the data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) that thewireless device 104 ₂ intends to transmit to the RAN node 102 ₂; (d): anindication (N_(TX, DL)) of a DL coverage class; and (e) an indication ofstarting points of the remaining pre-allocated radio blocks that thewireless device 104 ₂ is to use to transmit the remaining data blocks202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) (for example) from the data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . .. 202 _(x) that the wireless device 104 ₂ intends to transmit to the RANnode 102 ₂. The number of repetitions of the uplink assignment message206 is based on the DL coverage class. As discussed above, thepre-allocated radio blocks are allocated by the RAN node 102 ₂ such that(1) all repetitions of each of the data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202_(x) are to be transmitted contiguously by the wireless device 104 ₂,and (2) the pre-allocated radio blocks are allocated such that each ofthe data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) does not need to betransmitted contiguously with respect to one another by the wirelessdevice 104 ₂.

The second transmit module 606 is configured to transmit the data blocks202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) which were indicated in the access requestmessage 204 to the RAN node 102 ₂ (see FIG. 2's step 3 for additionaldetails—note: the wireless device 104 ₂ in this example transmits all ofthe data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) and ideally the RAN node 102₂ would receive all of the data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) butin this example the RAN node 102 ₂ does not receive data blocks 202 ₃,202 ₅ and 202 ₁₀). The wireless device 104 ₂ transmits data blocks 202₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) in the pre-allocated radio blocks. Plus, each ofthe transmitted data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) would have beenrepeated a number of times (N_(TX, UL)) by the wireless device 104 ₂according to the UL coverage class.

The second receive module 608 is configured to receive one or morerepetitions of a first acknowledgment message 208 (e.g., PUAN message208) from the RAN node 102 ₂ (see FIG. 2's step 4 for additionaldetails). The first acknowledgment message 208 comprises: (a) a firstbitmap indicating the portion of the number of data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂. . . 202 _(x) that have been received by the RAN node 102 ₂ and aremaining portion of the number of data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202_(x) that have not been received by the RAN node 102 ₂ (note: in thisexample the RAN node 102 ₂ did not receive data blocks 202 ₃, 202 ₅ and202 ₁₀); (b) an indication of another number of pre-allocated radioblocks on the packet data traffic channel that the wireless device 104 ₂is to use to transmit the remaining portion of the number of data blocks202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) which in this example are data blocks 202 ₃,202 ₅ and 202 ₁₀; and (c) an indication of an DL coverage class(N_(TX, DL)). The number of repetitions of the first acknowledgmentmessage 208 is based on the DL coverage class.

The third transmit module 610 is configured to transmit the remainingportion of the number of data block 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x) which inthis example are data blocks 202 ₃, 202 ₅ and 202 ₁₀ to the RAN node 102₂ (see FIG. 2's step 5 for additional details). The RAN node 102 ₂ wouldreceive the remaining portion of the number of data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂. . . 202 _(x) in the pre-allocated radio blocks indicated by the firstacknowledgement message 208. Plus, each of the received data blocks 202₃, 202 ₅ and 202 ₁₀ would have been repeated a number of times(N_(TX, UL)) by the wireless device 104 ₂ according to the UL coverageclass.

The third receive module 612 is configured to receive receives one ormore repetitions of a second acknowledgment message 210 (e.g., PUANmessage 210) from the RAN node 102 ₂ (see FIG. 2's step 7 for additionaldetails). The second acknowledgment message 210 comprises a secondbitmap indicating that all of data blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . . . 202 _(x)have been received by the RAN node 102 ₂ and a Final Ack Indicator (FAI)indicating completion of the uplink transmission. The number ofrepetitions of the second acknowledgment message 210 is based on the DLcoverage class.

The fourth transmit module 614 is configured to transmit one or morerepetitions of a third acknowledgment message 212 (e.g., Packet ControlAck message 212) to the RAN node 102 ₂ (see FIG. 2's step 8 foradditional details). The third acknowledgment message 212 comprises anindication that the second acknowledgment message 210 (e.g., PUANmessage 210) has been received by the wireless device 104 ₂. The thirdacknowledgment message 212 is repeated a number of times (N_(TX, UL)) bythe wireless device 104 ₂ according to the UL coverage class.

As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the above-described modules602, 604, 606, 608, 610, 612, and 614 of the wireless device 104 ₂(e.g., MS 104 ₂) may be implemented separately as suitable dedicatedcircuits. Further, the modules 602, 604, 606, 608, 610, 612, and 614 canalso be implemented using any number of dedicated circuits throughfunctional combination or separation. In some embodiments, the modules602, 604, 606, 608, 610, 612, and 614 may be even combined in a singleapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC). As an alternativesoftware-based implementation, the wireless device 104 ₂ may comprise amemory 120 ₂, a processor 118 ₂ (including but not limited to amicroprocessor, a microcontroller or a Digital Signal Processor (DSP),etc.) and a transceiver 110 ₂. The memory 120 ₂ stores machine-readableprogram code executable by the processor 118 ₂ to cause the wirelessdevice 104 ₂ to perform the steps of the above-described method 500. Itshould be appreciated that the other wireless devices 104 ₁, 104 ₃ . . .104 _(n) can also be configured in a similar manner as the wirelessdevice 104 ₂ to perform method 500.

Flexible Downlink Allocation Technique

The Flexible Downlink Allocation (FDA) technique is used on the downlinkof an EC-PDTCH when the RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS 102 ₂) transmits tothe wireless device 104 ₂ (for example) a Downlink Assignment message720 that indicates the earliest possible starting point at which thewireless device 104 ₂ is to start looking for the possible arrival of DLRLC data blocks 702 ₁, 702 ₂, 702 ₃ . . . 702 _(x) (downlink payload) onDL EC-PDTCH resources that have been assigned to the wireless device 104₂, as briefly described below and then described in more detail withrespect to FIGS. 7-16.

-   -   A feature of the FDA technique is that the wireless device 104 ₂        is told to expect, in the downlink assignment message 718 (e.g.,        EC-AGCH Resource Assignment message 718), a variable number of        DL RLC data blocks 702 ₁, 702 ₂, 702 ₃ . . . 702 _(x) over up to        4 timeslots, where each RLC data block 702 ₁, 702 ₂, 702 ₃ . . .        702 _(x) is repeated according to a value for N_(TX, DL)        indicated by the downlink assignment message 720.    -   The RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS 102 ₂) transmits all repetitions        of a specific RLC data block 702 ₁, 702 ₂, 702 ₃ . . . 702 _(x)        contiguously but does not need to transmit each of the RLC data        blocks 702 ₁, 702 ₂, 702 ₃ . . . 702 _(x) contiguous to each        other. As such, the wireless device 104 ₂ will not know the        precise starting point of any of the RLC data blocks 702 ₁, 702        ₂, 702 ₃ . . . 702 _(x) after receiving the downlink assignment        message 720 (other than knowing that the RLC data blocks 702 ₁,        702 ₂, 702 ₃ . . . 702 _(x) will be transmitted according to the        wireless device 104 ₂'s N_(TX, DL)) but will know that each RLC        data block 702 ₁, 702 ₂, 702 ₃ . . . 702 _(x) will be sent by        the RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS 102 ₂) using contiguous radio        blocks.    -   The point at which the wireless device 104 ₂ stops attempting to        receive RLC data blocks 702 ₁, 702 ₂, 702 ₃ . . . 702 _(x) is        determined according to when the wireless device 104 ₂ is polled        to send a Packet Downlink Ack/Nack (PDAN) message 720 on the UL        EC-PACCH. In other words, the number of additional RLC data        blocks 702 ₁, 702 ₂, 702 ₃ . . . 702 _(x) that the wireless        device 104 ₂ receives after receiving the first RLC data block        702 ₁ (for example) is variable, but any additional RLC data        blocks 702 ₂, 702 ₃ . . . 702 _(x) need to arrive prior to when        the wireless device 104 ₂ is polled to send the PDAN message 720        (i.e., the wireless device 104 ₂ will not look for additional DL        RLC data blocks 702 ₂, 702 ₃ . . . 702 _(x) while completing the        transmission of the PDAN message 720).    -   When searching for the first radio block used to send any given        RLC data block 702 ₁, 702 ₂, 702 ₃ . . . 702 _(x), the wireless        device 104 ₂ examines fixed sets of EC-PDTCH blocks based on        N_(TX, DL). For example, if the wireless device 104 ₂ uses        N_(TX, DL)=2 (i.e., 2 blind repetitions) then it will only look        at fixed pairs of EC-PDTCH blocks in an attempt to receive a RLC        data block 702 ₁, 702 ₂, 702 ₃ . . . 702 _(x). As such, the        wireless device 104 ₂ will view each 52-multiframe on a        monitored TS as potentially containing 6 pairs of EC-PDTCH        blocks, where any one of these pairs may potentially contain an        expected RLC data block 702 ₁, 702 ₂, 702 ₃ . . . 702 _(x).

One exemplary sequence of signaling steps associated with the FDAtechnique is illustrated in FIG. 7 and described in detail below withrespect to a scenario where the RAN node 102 ₂ has small datatransmissions to transmit to the wireless device 104 ₂ (e.g., IoT device104 ₂) which has an uplink coverage class needing N_(TX, DL)repetitions, and a downlink coverage class needing N_(TX, DL)repetitions. The exemplary signaling steps associated with the wirelessdevice 104 ₂ receiving small data transmissions from the RAN node 102 ₂are as follows:

Step 1: The CN node 107 (e.g., SGSN 107) receives some downlink payload716 (e.g., an IP packet) for the wireless device 104 ₂ and acts on thepayload 716 by transmitting to the RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS 102 ₂) aPaging Request message 704 indicating the International MobileSubscriber Identity (IMSI), the extended discontinuous receive (eDRX)cycle length, and the N_(TX, DL) of the wireless device 104 ₂, where theindicated N_(TX, DL) is based on the DL coverage class last indicated bythe wireless device 104 ₂ (e.g., within a Routing Area Update (RAU)Request message).

Step 2: The RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS 102 ₂) transmits one or morerepetitions of a Page message 706 on the EC-Paging Channel (PCH) to thewireless device 104 ₂ using the nominal paging group of the wirelessdevice 104 ₂. The RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS 102 ₂) can determine thenominal paging group of the wireless device 104 ₂ using the IMSI, theeDRX cycle length, the number of EC-PCH blocks per 51-multiframe, andthe N_(TX, DL) of the wireless device 104 ₂ as follows:

-   -   Each eDRX cycle consists of Y 51-multiframes subject to the        restriction that each eDRX cycle needs to occur an integral        number of times within the overall Time Division Multiple Access        (TDMA) Frame Number (FN) space.    -   The number of paging groups per eDRX cycle is determined on a        coverage class basis, where the RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS 102 ₂)        first determines the nominal paging group of the wireless device        104 ₂ assuming N_(TX, DL)=1, which effectively determines a        window of four 51-multiframes in which the wireless device 104 ₂        will wake-up to attempt to read according to its actual nominal        paging group.    -   The specific EC-PCH blocks that the wireless device 104 ₂        considers to be its nominal paging group within the four        51-multiframe window is determined based on the DL coverage        class last indicated by the wireless device 104 ₂.

Step 3: The wireless device 104 ₂ transmits one or more repetitions ofan access request message 708 on the EC-RACH to the RAN node 102 ₂(e.g., BSS 102 ₂). The access request message 708 is requestingresources for sending a Page Response message 712 (see step 5). Thenumber of repetitions used to transmit the access request message 708 isbased on the wireless device 104 ₂'s estimated UL coverage classN_(TX, UL) (a single repetition is always used by the wireless device104 ₂ when in normal coverage). The access request message 708 can beconfigured as follows:

-   -   The information the wireless device 104 ₂ can include within the        access request message 708 is indicated by TABLE #2 and        discussed in more detail next:    -   An indication of whether or not the wireless device 104 ₂        supports MCS-5 through MCS-9 is indicted by the TSC used when        transmitting the access request message 708 as per legacy        operation.    -   The access request message 708 that is transmitted on the        EC-RACH includes an indication of the DL coverage class        estimated by the wireless device 104 ₂.    -   System Information (SI) sent on TS1 indicates that if a wireless        device 104 ₂ (for example) is in normal coverage        (N_(TX, UL)=N_(TX, DL)=1) then it is to perform a system access        using the RACH of TS0 or the RACH of TS1. Note: the System        Information could be transmitted by the RAN node 102 ₂ before        the RAN node 102 ₂ transmits the Page message 706.

TABLE #2 Content of Access Request Message 708 Number of Type of MCS-1Coded Spare Random DL Cover- Device Access Blocks Bit Bits age ClassIdentity Request (4 bits) (1 bit) (3 bits) (3 bits) (32 bits) AB on TS0Yes (0000 = Yes Yes No¹ No page response AB on TS1 Yes (0000 = Yes YesYes No page response NB on TS0 Yes No No No¹ Yes NB on TS1 Yes No No YesYes NOTE¹: Not needed since the access is always when in normal coverageon UL and DL

Step 4: The RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS 102 ₂) transmits one or morerepetitions of an Uplink Assignment message 710 on the EC-AGCH to thewireless device 104 ₂. The number of repetitions used by RAN node 102 ₂(e.g., BSS 102 ₂) when transmitting the Uplink Assignment message 710 isindicated by the N_(TX, DL) value included in the Page Response Requestmessage 708. The Uplink Assignment message 710 includes the sameassignment information as per the Uplink Assignment message 206 asdescribed above with respect to FIG. 2's Step 2 of the Fixed UplinkAllocation technique but for the case where X=1.

Step 5: Similar to FIG. 2's Step 3 of the Fixed Uplink Allocationtechnique, a HARQ scheme is used by the wireless device 104 ₂ fortransmitting to the RAN node 102 ₂ the uplink payload (e.g., a PageResponse message 712 consisting of a dummy LLC PDU) using the N_(TX, UL)pre-allocated UL radio blocks, wherein, after transmitting the uplinkpayload (Page Response 712) the wireless device 104 ₂ waits for acorresponding PUAN message 714.

Step 6: The RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS 102 ₂) transmits the PUAN message714 after attempting to receive the N_(TX, UL) pre-allocated UL radioblocks (Page Response 712) from the wireless device 104 ₂. Aftertransmitting the Page Response 712, the wireless device 104 ₂ attemptsto receive the PUAN message 714 starting within the first possible setof EC-PACCH blocks corresponding to the wireless device 104 ₂'s assignedDL coverage class, as per FIG. 2's Step 4 of the Fixed Uplink Allocationtechnique and discussed next:

-   -   After receiving the PUAN message 714, the wireless device 104 ₂        releases the UL Temporary Block Flow (TBF) resources, moves to        the EC-Idle state, where the wireless device 104 ₂ then monitors        the EC-AGCH using a short DRX cycle (e.g., as per legacy) in        expectation of a DL TBF resource assignment message 718.    -   Alternatively, the PUAN message 714 can include a DL TBF        resource assignment message 715, and an indication where the        wireless device 104 ₂ is to start looking for RLC data blocks        702 ₁, 702 ₂, 702 ₃ . . . 702 _(x) thereon according to a DRX        cycle after first waiting a certain time period (e.g., as        indicated by the information within the PUAN message 714). This        technique will save the wireless device 104 ₂ from having to        receive an additional EC-AGCH message 718. This technique is        discussed in detail below with respect to FIGS. 12-16.

Step 7: The RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS 102 ₂) transmits a Paging Responsemessage 713 (e.g., a dummy LLC PDU) to the CN node 107 (e.g., SGSN 107).

Step 8: The CN node 107 (e.g., SGSN 107) transmits a PDU including thepending downlink user plane payload 716 to the RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS102 ₂) from which the CN node 107 (e.g., SGSN 107) received the PagingResponse message 713.

Step 9: The RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS 102 ₂) disassembles the PDUincluding the pending downlink user plane payload 716 into one or moreRLC data blocks 702 ₁, 702 ₂, 702 ₃ . . . 702 _(x) appropriate fortransmitting to the wireless device 104 ₂ over the radio interface.

Step 10: The RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS 102 ₂) transmits one or morerepetitions of a Downlink Assignment message 718 on the EC-AGCH to thewireless device 104 ₂. The number of repetitions of the DownlinkAssignment message 718 is determined by using the downlink coverageclass N_(TX, DL) that was last received by the RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS102 ₂). The Downlink Assignment message 718 has the following features:

-   -   The Downlink Assignment message 718 indicates the assigned DL        EC-PDTCH resources (e.g., timeslots), an optional indication of        when the wireless device 104 ₂ is to start looking for the first        of the DL RLC data blocks 702 ₁ (e.g., expressed as an offset        relative to where the Downlink Assignment message 718 is        received), the UL coverage class N_(TX, UL), to be used, and the        DL coverage class N_(TX, DL) to be used over the set of assigned        timeslots.

Step 11: A HARQ scheme is used by the RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS 102 ₂)for transmitting to the wireless device 104 ₂ the downlink payload 716(RLC data blocks 702 ₁, 702 ₂, 702 ₃ . . . 702 _(x)). The wirelessdevice 104 ₂ may be polled for a PDAN message 720 within one or more ofthe variable number of RLC data blocks 702 ₁, 702 ₂, 702 ₃ . . . 702_(x) transmitted to the wireless device 104 ₂ prior to the point in timewhere the PDAN message 720 is to be transmitted. The following is adiscussion about how the wireless device 104 ₂ can function to receivethe RLC data blocks 702 ₁, 702 ₂, 702 ₃ . . . 702 _(x):

-   -   When attempting to find a DL RLC data block 702 ₁ (for example),        the wireless device 104 ₂ examines fixed sets of EC-PDTCH blocks        based on the wireless device 104 ₂'s coverage class. For        example, if the wireless device 104 ₂ uses N_(TX, DL)=2 (i.e., 2        blind repetitions) then it will only look at fixed pairs of        EC-PDTCH blocks in an attempt to receive a RLC data block 702 ₁        (for example) addressed to the wireless device 104 ₂'s assigned        TFI on the wireless device 104 ₂'s assigned timeslots. As such,        the wireless device 104 ₂ will view each 52-multiframe on a        monitored TS as potentially containing 6 pairs of EC-PDTCH        blocks, where any one of these pairs may potentially contain an        expected RLC data block 702 ₁.    -   If the RLC data block 702 ₁ is not received within a set of        applicable EC-PDTCH blocks, then the wireless device 104 ₂        continues to read additional sets of EC-PDTCH blocks applicable        to the wireless device 104 ₂'s downlink coverage class.    -   For example, if the downlink payload 716 transmission consists        of 5 MCS-1 RLC data blocks (X=5) and the N_(TX, DL) indicates 8        repetitions are needed, then a total of 40 radio blocks        (X*N_(TX, DL)) need to be transmitted. These 40 radio blocks        will be transmitted using 5 instances of 8 contiguous radio        blocks over the set of assigned timeslots. The time period        between the transmissions of any two successive RLC data blocks        (i.e., between instances of 8 contiguous radio blocks) is        variable, although the Downlink Assignment message 718 may        optionally indicate what this time period is in the interest of        the wireless device 104 ₂'s battery conservation.    -   The polling may be performed by including a polling field within        a set of one or more RLC data blocks 702 ₁, 702 ₂, 702 ₃ . . .        702 _(x), where the polling field in each RLC data block 702 ₁,        702 ₂, 702 ₃ . . . 702 _(x) indicates the same point in time at        which the wireless device 104 ₂ is to transmit a PDAN message        720 on the UL EC-PACCH to the RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS 102 ₂).

Step 12: The PDAN message 720 is transmitted by the wireless device 104₂ on the UL EC-PACCH to the RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS 102 ₂), whereinthe location of the first pre-allocated UL EC-PACCH block used totransmit the PDAN message 720 is indicated by the polling informationincluded in one or more of the RLC data blocks 702 ₁, 702 ₂, 702 ₃ . . .702 _(x) transmitted to the wireless device 104 ₂. The following is amore detailed discussion about the transmission and reception of thePDAN message 720:

-   -   The location of the first UL EC-PACCH block used to transmit the        PDAN message 720 may be expressed as an offset relative to DL        RLC data block 702 ₁ (for example) from which the polling        information was read.    -   Alternatively, if the downlink assignment information indicates        that a specific number of DL RLC data blocks 702 ₁, 702 ₂, 702 ₃        . . . 702 _(x) will be transmitted contiguously prior to        polling, then upon receiving the last DL radio block 702 _(x)        used to convey the DL RLC data blocks 702 ₁, 702 ₂, 702 ₃ . . .        702 _(x), the wireless device 104 ₂ can transmit the PDAN        message 720 using an offset (e.g., fixed or indicated by the        downlink assignment message 718) from the last DL radio block        702 _(x) to determine where to start transmitting the PDAN        message 720. This same principle can be used where the wireless        device 104 ₂ has sent a PDAN message 720 indicating that one or        more DL RLC data blocks 702 ₂ (for example) need to be resent        (i.e., the wireless device 104 ₂ will expect all resent DL RC        data blocks 702 ₂ (for example) to be transmitted contiguously        and thereby determine where to transmit the corresponding PDAN        message 720).    -   N_(TX, UL) contiguous radio blocks are pre-allocated for        transmission of the PDAN message 720.    -   If the RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS 102 ₂) does not receive the        PDAN message 720 within the pre-allocated UL radio blocks, then        the RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS 102 ₂) may resend a DL RLC data        block 702 ₁ (for example) including polling information (a        repeated poll).    -   As such, after the wireless device 104 ₂ receives a DL RLC data        block 702 x (for example) including polling information and        transmits the corresponding PDAN message indicating all DL RLC        data blocks 702 ₁, 702 ₂, 702 ₃ . . . 702 _(x) have been        received, the wireless device 104 ₂ should wait a limited amount        of time (e.g., indicated by the assignment message 718) and then        start looking for the possible reception of a previously        received DL RLC data block 702 ₁ (for example) including polling        information. This allows for the case where the RAN node 102 ₂        does not receive the PDAN message 720 sent by the wireless        device 104 ₂ in response to the repeated poll.    -   If the wireless device 104 ₂ is polled again within this limited        time window, the wireless device 104 ₂ should transmit another        PDAN message 720 using the specific set of pre-allocated        N_(TX, UL) radio blocks as indicated by the repeated poll.        Otherwise, the wireless device 104 ₂ should release the DL TBF        and enter the EC-Idle state.    -   When transmitting the PDAN message 720 indicating that one or        more DL RLC data blocks 702 ₂ (for example) have not been        received, the wireless device 104 ₂ should continue to monitor        the assigned DL PDTCH resources for reception of the missing RLC        data blocks 702 ₂ (for example) and then proceed, as per Step        11.

Referring to FIG. 8, there is a flowchart of a method 800 implemented ina RAN node 102 ₂ (for example) in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. At step 802, the RAN node 102 ₂ receives the pagingrequest message 704 from the CN node 107. The paging request message 704is associated with the wireless device 104 ₂ (for example) (see FIG. 7'sstep 1 for additional details).

At step 804, the RAN node 102 ₂ transmits one or more repetitions of thepage message 706 to the wireless device 104 ₂ (see FIG. 7's step 2 foradditional details). The number of repetitions of the page message 706is based on the DL coverage class N_(TX, DL).

At step 806, the RAN node 102 ₂ receives one or more repetitions of theaccess request message 708 from the wireless device 104 ₂ (see FIG. 7'sstep 3 for additional details). The access request message 708 requestsresources for sending a Page Response message 712 and includes anindication (N_(TX, DL)) of a DL coverage class. The number ofrepetitions (N_(TX, UL)) of the access request message 708 is based onthe UL coverage class.

At step 808, the RAN node 102 ₂ transmits one or more repetitions of theuplink assignment message 712 to the wireless device 104 ₂ (see FIG. 7'sstep 4 for additional details). The uplink assignment message 712 cancomprise: (a) an indication of a number of pre-allocated radio block(s)on a packet data traffic channel; (b) an indication (N_(TX, UL)) of anUL coverage class; (c) an indication (N_(TX, DL)) of a DL coverageclass; and (d) an indication of when the wireless device 104 ₂ is tostart looking for a first data block 702 ₁ (for example) from the RANnode 102 ₂. The number of repetitions of the uplink assignment message712 is based on the DL coverage class.

At step 810, the RAN node 102 ₂ receives one or more repetitions of thepage response message 712 from the wireless device 104 ₂ (see FIG. 7'sstep 5 for additional details). The page response message 712 cancomprise: uplink payload (e.g., a dummy LLC PDU), where the uplinkpayload is received in the pre-allocated radio block(s). The pageresponse message 712 is repeated according to the UL coverage class.

At step 812, the RAN node 102 ₂ transmits one or more repetitions of thefirst acknowledgment message 714 (e.g., PUAN message 714) to thewireless device 104 ₂ (see FIG. 7's step 6 for additional details). Thefirst acknowledgment message 714 can comprise: a first bitmap indicatingreceipt of the page response message 712 by the RAN node 102 ₂ and aFinal Ack Indicator (FAI) indicating completion of the uplinktransmission. The number of repetitions of the first acknowledgmentmessage 714 is based on the DL coverage class.

At step 814, the RAN node 102 ₂ transmits the paging response message713 to the CN node 107 (see FIG. 7's step 7 for additional details).

At step 816, the RAN node 102 ₂ receives a PDU including the downlinkpayload 716 from the CN node 107 (see FIG. 7's step 8 for additionaldetails).

At step 818, the RAN node 102 ₂ disassembles the PDU including thedownlink payload 716 into one or more data blocks 702 ₁, 702 ₂ . . . 702_(x) appropriate for transmission to the wireless device 104 ₂ over theradio interface (see FIG. 7's step 9 for additional details).

At step 820, the RAN node 102 ₂ transmits one or more repetitions of thedownlink assignment message 718 to the wireless device 104 ₂ (see FIG.7's step 10 for additional details). The downlink assignment message 718can comprise: (a) an indication of assigned DL resources on the packetdata traffic channel; (b) an indication (N_(TX, DL)) of a DL coverageclass; and (c) an indication of when the wireless device 104 ₂ is tostart looking for a first data block 702 ₁ (for example) from the RANnode 102 ₂. The number of repetitions of the downlink assignment message718 is based on the DL coverage class.

At step 822, the RAN node 102 ₂ transmits to the wireless device 104 ₂one or more repetitions of each of the data blocks 702 ₁, 702 ₂ . . .702 _(x) using the assigned DL resources (see FIG. 7's step 11 foradditional details). The number of repetitions of each of the datablocks 702 ₁, 702 ₂ . . . 702 _(x) is based on the DL coverage class.Further, all repetitions of each of the data blocks 702 ₁, 702 ₂ . . .702 _(x) are transmitted contiguously to the wireless device 104 ₂, andeach of the data blocks 702 ₁, 702 ₂ . . . 702 _(x) does not need to betransmitted contiguously with respect to one another to the wirelessdevice 104 ₂.

At step 824, the RAN node 102 ₂ receives one or more repetitions of thesecond acknowledgment message 720 (e.g., PDAN message 720) from thewireless device 104 ₂ (see FIG. 7's step 12 for additional details). Thesecond acknowledgment message 720 comprises: a second bitmap indicatingreceipt of the data blocks 702 ₁, 702 ₂ . . . 702 _(x) by the wirelessdevice 104 ₂. The number of repetitions of the second acknowledgmentmessage 720 is based on the UL coverage class. The other RAN node 102 ₁can also be configured in a similar manner to perform method 800.

Referring to FIG. 9, there is a block diagram illustrating structures ofan exemplary RAN node 102 ₂ (for example) configured in accordance withan embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the RAN node102 ₂ may comprise a first receive module 902, a first transmit module904, a second receive module 906, a second transmit module 908, a thirdreceive module 910, a third transmit module 912, a fourth transmitmodule 914, a fourth receive module 916, a disassemble module 918, afifth transmit module 920, a sixth transmit module 922, and a fifthreceive module 924. The RAN node 102 ₂ may also include othercomponents, modules or structures which are well-known, but for clarity,only the components, modules or structures needed to describe thefeatures of the present disclosure are described herein.

The first receive module 902 can be configured to receive the pagingrequest message 704 from the CN node 107. The paging request message 704is associated with the wireless device 104 ₂ (for example) (see FIG. 7'sstep 1 for additional details).

The first transmit module 904 can be configured to transmit one or morerepetitions of the page message 706 to the wireless device 104 ₂ (seeFIG. 7's step 2 for additional details). The number of repetitions(N_(TX, DL)) of the page message 706 is based on the DL coverage class.

The second receive module 906 can be configured to receive one or morerepetitions of the access request message 708 from the wireless device104 ₂ (see FIG. 7's step 3 for additional details). The access requestmessage 708 requests resources for sending a Page Response message 712and includes an indication (N_(TX, DL)) of a DL coverage class. Thenumber of repetitions (N_(TX, UL)) of the access request message 708 isbased on the UL coverage class.

The second transmit module 908 can be configured to transmit one or morerepetitions of the uplink assignment message 712 to the wireless device104 ₂ (see FIG. 7's step 4 for additional details). The uplinkassignment message 712 can comprise: (a) an indication of a number ofpre-allocated radio block(s) on a packet data traffic channel; (b) anindication (N_(TX, UL)) of an UL coverage class; (c) an indication(N_(TX, DL)) of a DL coverage class; and (d) an indication of when thewireless device 104 ₂ is to start looking for a first data block 702 ₁(for example) from the RAN node 102 ₂. The number of repetitions of theuplink assignment message 712 is based on the DL coverage class.

The third receive module 910 can be configured to receive one or morerepetitions of the page response message 712 from the wireless device104 ₂ (see FIG. 7's step 5 for additional details). The page responsemessage 712 can comprise: uplink payload (e.g., a dummy LLC PDU), wherethe uplink payload is received in the pre-allocated radio block(s). Thepage response message 712 is repeated according to the UL coverageclass.

The third transmit module 912 can be configured to transmit one or morerepetitions of the first acknowledgment message 714 (e.g., PUAN message714) to the wireless device 104 ₂ (see FIG. 7's step 6 for additionaldetails). The first acknowledgment message 714 can comprise: a firstbitmap indicating receipt of the page response message 712 by the RANnode 102 ₂ and a Final Ack Indicator (FAI) indicating completion of theuplink transmission. The number of repetitions of the firstacknowledgment message 714 is based on the DL coverage class.

The fourth transmit module 914 can be configured to transmit the pagingresponse message 713 to the CN node 107 (see FIG. 7's step 7 foradditional details).

The fourth receive module 916 can be configured to receive a PDUincluding the downlink payload 716 from the CN node 107 (see FIG. 7'sstep 8 for additional details).

The disassemble module 918 can be configured to disassemble the PDUincluding the downlink payload 716 into one or more data blocks 702 ₁,702 ₂ . . . 702 _(x) appropriate for transmission to the wireless device104 ₂ over the radio interface (see FIG. 7's step 9 for additionaldetails).

The fifth transmit module 920 can be configured to transmit one or morerepetitions of the downlink assignment message 718 to the wirelessdevice 104 ₂ (see FIG. 7's step 10 for additional details). The downlinkassignment message 718 can comprise: (a) an indication of assigned DLresources on the packet data traffic channel; (b) an indication(N_(TX, DL)) of a DL coverage class; and (c) an indication of when thewireless device 104 ₂ is to start looking for a first data block 702 ₁(for example) from the RAN node 102 ₂. The number of repetitions of thedownlink assignment message 718 is based on the DL coverage class.

The sixth transmit module 922 can be configured to transmit to thewireless device 104 ₂ one or more repetitions of each of the data blocks702 ₁, 702 ₂ . . . 702 _(x) using the assigned DL resources (see FIG.7's step 11 for additional details). The number of repetitions of eachof the data blocks 702 ₁, 702 ₂ . . . 702 _(x) is based on the DLcoverage class. Further, all repetitions of each of the data blocks 702₁, 702 ₂ . . . 702 _(x) are transmitted contiguously to the wirelessdevice 104 ₂, and each of the data blocks 702 ₁, 702 ₂ . . . 702 _(x)does not need to be transmitted contiguously with respect to one anotherto the wireless device 104 ₂.

The fifth receive module 924 can be configured to receive one or morerepetitions of the second acknowledgment message 720 (e.g., PDAN message720) from the wireless device 104 ₂ (see FIG. 7's step 12 for additionaldetails). The second acknowledgment message 720 comprises: a secondbitmap indicating receipt of the data blocks 702 ₁, 702 ₂ . . . 702 _(x)by the wireless device 104 ₂. The number of repetitions of the secondacknowledgment message 720 is based on the UL coverage class. The otherRAN node 102 ₁ can also be configured in a similar manner to performmethod 800.

As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the above-described modules902, 904, 906, 908, 910, 912, 914, 916, 918, 920, 922 and 924 of the RANnode 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS 102 ₂) may be implemented separately as suitablededicated circuits. Further, the modules 902, 904, 906, 908, 910, 912,914, 916, 918, 920, 922 and 924 can also be implemented using any numberof dedicated circuits through functional combination or separation. Insome embodiments, the modules 902, 904, 906, 908, 910, 912, 914, 916,918, 920, 922 and 924 may be even combined in a single applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC). As an alternative software-basedimplementation, the RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS 102 ₂) may comprise amemory 134 ₂, a processor 132 ₂ (including but not limited to amicroprocessor, a microcontroller or a Digital Signal Processor (DSP),etc.) and a transceiver 122 ₂. The memory 134 ₂ stores machine-readableprogram code executable by the processor 132 ₂ to cause the RAN node 102₂ (e.g., BSS 102 ₂) to perform the steps of the above-described method800. It should be appreciated that the other RAN node 102 ₁ can also beconfigured in a similar manner as the RAN node 102 ₂ to perform method800.

Referring to FIG. 10, there is a flowchart of a method 100 ₀ implementedin a wireless device 104 ₂ (for example) in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure. At step 100 ₂, the wireless device104 ₂ receives one or more repetitions of the page message 706 from theRAN node 102 ₂ (see FIG. 7's step 2 for additional details). The numberof repetitions of the page message 706 is based on the DL coverage classN_(TX, DL).

At step 1004, the wireless device 104 ₂ transmits one or morerepetitions of the access request message 708 to the RAN node 102 ₂ (seeFIG. 7's step 3 for additional details). The access request message 708requests resources for sending a Page Response message 712 and includesan indication (N_(TX, DL)) of a DL coverage class. The number ofrepetitions of the access request message 708 is based on the ULcoverage class.

At step 1006, the wireless device 104 ₂ receives one or more repetitionsof the uplink assignment message 710 from the RAN node 102 ₂ (see FIG.7's step 4 for additional details). The uplink assignment message 710can comprise: (a) an indication of a number of pre-allocated radioblock(s) on a packet data traffic channel; (b) an indication(N_(TX, UL)) of an UL coverage class; (c) an indication (N_(TX, DL)) ofa DL coverage class; and (d) an indication of a starting point of thepre-allocated radio blocks that the wireless device 104 ₂ is to use totransmit the page response message 712 to the RAN node 102 ₂. The numberof repetitions of the uplink assignment message 710 is based on the DLcoverage class.

At step 1008, the wireless device 104 ₂ transmits one or morerepetitions of the page response message 712 to the RAN node 102 ₂ (seeFIG. 7's step 5 for additional details). The page response message 712can comprise: uplink payload (e.g., a dummy LLC PDU), where the uplinkpayload is transmitted in the pre-allocated radio block(s). The pageresponse message 712 is repeated according to the UL coverage class.

At step 1010, the wireless device 104 ₂ receives one or more repetitionsof the first acknowledgment message 714 (e.g., PUAN message 714) fromthe RAN node 102 ₂ (see FIG. 7's step 6 for additional details). Thefirst acknowledgment message 714 can comprise: a first bitmap indicatingreceipt of the page response message 712 by the RAN node 102 ₂. Thenumber of repetitions of the first acknowledgment message 714 is basedon the DL coverage class.

At step 1012, the wireless device 104 ₂ receives one or more repetitionsof the downlink assignment message 718 from the RAN node 102 ₂ (see FIG.7's step 10 for additional details). The downlink assignment message 718can comprise: (a) an indication of assigned DL resources on the packetdata traffic channel; (b) an indication (N_(TX, DL)) of a DL coverageclass; and (c) an indication of when the wireless device 104 ₂ is tostart looking for a first data block 702 ₁ (for example) from the RANnode 102 ₂. The number of repetitions of the downlink assignment message718 is based on the DL coverage class.

At step 1014, the wireless device 104 ₂ receives from the RAN node 102 ₂one or more repetitions of each of the data blocks 702 ₁, 702 ₂ . . .702 _(x) using the assigned DL resources (see FIG. 7's step 11 foradditional details). The number of repetitions of each of the datablocks 702 ₁, 702 ₂ . . . 702 _(x) is based on the DL coverage class.Further, all repetitions of each of the data blocks 702 ₁, 702 ₂ . . .702 _(x) are received contiguously by the wireless device 104 ₂, andeach of the data blocks 702 ₁, 702 ₂ . . . 702 _(x) does not need to bereceived contiguously with respect to one another at the wireless device104 ₂.

At step 1016, the wireless device 104 ₂ transmits one or morerepetitions of the second acknowledgment message 720 (e.g., PDAN message720) to the RAN node 102 ₂ (see FIG. 7's step 12 for additionaldetails). The second acknowledgment message 720 comprises: a secondbitmap indicating receipt of the data blocks 702 ₁, 702 ₂ . . . 702 _(x)by the wireless device 104 ₂. The number of repetitions of the secondacknowledgment message 720 is based on the UL coverage class. The otherwireless devices 104 ₁, 104 ₃ . . . 104 _(n) can also be configured in asimilar manner to perform method 1000.

Referring to FIG. 11, there is a block diagram illustrating structuresof an exemplary wireless device 104 ₂ (for example) configured inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In oneembodiment, the wireless device 104 ₂ may comprise a first receivemodule 1102, a first transmit module 1104, a second receive module 1106,a second transmit module 1108, a third receive module 1110, a fourthreceive module 1112, a fifth receive module 114, and a third transmitmodule 1116. The wireless device 104 ₂ may also include othercomponents, modules or structures which are well-known, but for clarity,only the components, modules or structures needed to describe thefeatures of the present disclosure are described herein.

The first receive module 1102can be configured to receive one or morerepetitions of the page message 706 from the RAN node 102 ₂ (see FIG.7's step 2 for additional details). The number of repetitions of thepage message 706 is based on the DL coverage class.

The first transmit module 1104 can be configured to transmit one or morerepetitions of the access request message 708 to the RAN node 102 ₂ (seeFIG. 7's step 3 for additional details). The access request message 708requests resources for sending a Page Response message 712 and includesan indication (N_(TX, DL)) of a DL coverage class. The number ofrepetitions of the access request message 708 is based on the ULcoverage class.

The second receive module 1106 can be configured to receive one or morerepetitions of the uplink assignment message 710 from the RAN node 102 ₂(see FIG. 7's step 4 for additional details). The uplink assignmentmessage 710 can comprise: (a) an indication of a number of pre-allocatedradio block(s) on a packet data traffic channel; (b) an indication(N_(TX, UL)) of an UL coverage class; (c) an indication (N_(TX, DL)) ofa DL coverage class; and (d) an indication of a starting point of thepre-allocated radio blocks that the wireless device 104 ₂ is to use totransmit the page response message 712 to the RAN node 102 ₂. The numberof repetitions of the uplink assignment message 710 is based on the DLcoverage class.

The second transmit module 1108 can be configured to transmit one ormore repetitions of the page response message 712 to the RAN node 102 ₂(see FIG. 7's step 5 for additional details). The page response message712 can comprise: uplink payload (e.g., a dummy LLC PDU), where theuplink payload is transmitted in the pre-allocated radio block(s). Thepage response message 712 is repeated according to the UL coverageclass.

The third receive module 1110 can be configured to receive one or morerepetitions of the first acknowledgment message 714 (e.g., PUAN message714) from the RAN node 102 ₂ (see FIG. 7's step 6 for additionaldetails). The first acknowledgment message 714 can comprise: a firstbitmap indicating receipt of the page response message 712 by the RANnode 102 ₂. The number of repetitions of the first acknowledgmentmessage 714 is based on the DL coverage class.

The fourth receive module 1112 can be configured to receive one or morerepetitions of the downlink assignment message 718 from the RAN node 102₂ (see FIG. 7's step 10 for additional details). The downlink assignmentmessage 718 can comprise: (a) an indication of assigned DL resources onthe packet data traffic channel; (b) an indication (N_(TX, DL)) of a DLcoverage class; and (c) an indication of when the wireless device 104 ₂is to start looking for a first data block 702 ₁ (for example) from theRAN node 102 ₂. The number of repetitions of the downlink assignmentmessage 718 is based on the DL coverage class.

The fifth receive module 1114 can be configured to receive from the RANnode 102 ₂ one or more repetitions of each of the data blocks 702 ₁, 702₂ . . . 702 _(x) using the assigned DL resources (see FIG. 7's step 11for additional details). The number of repetitions of each of the datablocks 702 ₁, 702 ₂ . . . 702 _(x) is based on the DL coverage class.Further, all repetitions of each of the data blocks 702 ₁, 702 ₂ . . .702 _(x) are received contiguously by the wireless device 104 ₂, andeach of the data blocks 702 ₁, 702 ₂ . . . 702 _(x) does not need to bereceived contiguously with respect to one another at the wireless device104 ₂.

The third transmit module 1116 can be configured to transmit one or morerepetitions of the second acknowledgment message 720 (e.g., PDAN message720) to the RAN node 102 ₂ (see FIG. 7's step 12 for additionaldetails). The second acknowledgment message 720 comprises: a secondbitmap indicating receipt of the data blocks 702 ₁, 702 ₂ . . . 702 _(x)by the wireless device 104 ₂. The number of repetitions of the secondacknowledgment message 720 is based on the UL coverage class. The otherwireless devices 104 ₁, 104 ₃ . . . 104 _(n) can also be configured in asimilar manner to perform method 1000.

As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the above-described modules1102, 1104, 1106, 1108, 1110, 1112, 1114, and 1116 of the wirelessdevice 104 ₂ (e.g., MS 104 ₂) may be implemented separately as suitablededicated circuits. Further, the modules 1102, 1104, 1106, 1108, 1110,1112, 1114, and 1116 can also be implemented using any number ofdedicated circuits through functional combination or separation. In someembodiments, the modules 1102, 1104, 1106, 1108, 1110, 1112, 1114, and1116 may be even combined in a single application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC). As an alternative software-based implementation, thewireless device 104 ₂ may comprise a memory 120 ₂, a processor 118 ₂(including but not limited to a microprocessor, a microcontroller or aDigital Signal Processor (DSP), etc.) and a transceiver 110 ₂. Thememory 120 ₂ stores machine-readable program code executable by theprocessor 118 ₂ to cause the wireless device 104 ₂ to perform the stepsof the above-described method 100 ₀. It should be appreciated that theother wireless devices 104 ₁, 104 ₃ . . . 104 _(n) can also beconfigured in a similar manner as the wireless device 104 ₂ to performmethod 1000.

Another exemplary sequence of signaling steps associated with the FDAtechnique is illustrated in FIG. 12 and described in detail below withrespect to another scenario where the RAN node 102 ₂ has small datatransmissions to transmit to the wireless device 104 ₂ (e.g., IoT device104 ₂) which has an uplink coverage class needing N_(TX, UL)repetitions, and a downlink coverage class needing N_(TX, DL)repetitions. The exemplary signaling steps associated with the wirelessdevice 104 ₂ receiving small data transmissions from the RAN node 102 ₂are as follows:

Step 1: The CN node 107 (e.g., SGSN 107) receives some downlink payload1216 (e.g., an IP packet) for the wireless device 104 ₂ and acts on thepayload 1216 by transmitting to the RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS 102 ₂) aPaging Request message 1204 indicating the International MobileSubscriber Identity (IMSI), the extended discontinuous receive (eDRX)cycle length, and the N_(TX, DL) of the wireless device 104 ₂, where theindicated N_(TX, DL) is based on the DL coverage class last indicated bythe wireless device 104 ₂ (e.g., within a Routing Area Update (RAU)Request message).

Step 2: The RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS 102 ₂) transmits one or morerepetitions of a Page message 120 ₆ on the EC-Paging Channel (PCH) tothe wireless device 104 ₂ using the nominal paging group of the wirelessdevice 104 ₂. The RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS 102 ₂) can determine thenominal paging group of the wireless device 104 ₂ using the IMSI, theeDRX cycle length, the number of EC-PCH blocks per 51-multiframe, andthe N_(TX, DL) of the wireless device 104 ₂ as follows:

-   -   Each eDRX cycle consists of Y 51-multiframes subject to the        restriction that each eDRX cycle needs to occur an integral        number of times within the overall Time Division Multiple Access        (TDMA) Frame Number (FN) space.    -   The number of paging groups per eDRX cycle is determined on a        coverage class basis, where the RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS 102 ₂)        first determines the nominal paging group of the wireless device        104 ₂ assuming N_(TX, DL)=1, which effectively determines a        window of four 51-multiframes in which the wireless device 104 ₂        will wake-up to attempt to read according to its actual nominal        paging group.    -   The specific EC-PCH blocks that the wireless device 104 ₂        considers to be its nominal paging group within the four        51-multiframe window is determined based on the DL coverage        class last indicated by the wireless device 104 ₂.

Step 3: The wireless device 104 ₂ transmits one or more repetitions ofan access request message 1208 on the EC-RACH to the RAN node 102 ₂(e.g., BSS 102 ₂). The access request message 1208 is requestingresources for sending a Page Response message 1212 (see step 5). Thenumber of repetitions used to transmit the access request message 1208is based on the wireless device 104 ₂'s estimated UL coverage classN_(TX, UL) (a single repetition is always used by the wireless device104 ₂ when in normal coverage). The access request message 1208 can beconfigured as follows

-   -   The information the wireless device 104 ₂ can include within the        access request message 1208 is indicated by TABLE #2 and        discussed in more detail next:    -   An indication of whether or not the wireless device 104 ₂        supports MCS-5 through MCS-9 is indicted by the TSC used when        transmitting the access request message 1208 as per legacy        operation.    -   The access request message 1208 that is transmitted on the        EC-RACH includes an indication of the DL coverage class        estimated by the wireless device 104 ₂.    -   System Information (SI) sent on TS1 indicates that if a wireless        device 104 ₂ (for example) is in normal coverage        (N_(TX, UL)=N_(TX, DL)=1) then it is to perform a system access        using the RACH of TS0 or the RACH of TS1. Note: the System        Information could be transmitted by the RAN node 102 ₂ before        the RAN node 102 ₂ transmits the Page message 1206.

TABLE #3 Content of Access Request Message 1208 Type of Number of SpareRandom DL Device Access MCS-1 Coded Bit Bits Coverage Identity AB on TS0Yes (0000 = Yes Yes No¹ No page response AB on TS1 Yes (0000 = Yes YesYes No page response NB on TS0 Yes No No No¹ Yes NB on TS1 Yes No No YesYes NOTE¹: Not needed since the access is always when in normal coverageon UL and DL

Step 4: The RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS 102 ₂) transmits one or morerepetitions of an Uplink Assignment message 1210 on the EC-AGCH to thewireless device 104 ₂. The number of repetitions used by RAN node 102 ₂(e.g., BSS 102 ₂) when transmitting the Uplink Assignment message 1210is indicated by the N_(TX, DL) value included in the Page ResponseRequest message 1208. The Uplink Assignment message 1210 includes thesame assignment information as per the Uplink Assignment message 206 asdescribed above with respect to FIG. 2's Step 2 of the Fixed UplinkAllocation technique but for the case where X=1.

Step 5: Similar to FIG. 2's Step 3 of the Fixed Uplink Allocationtechnique, a HARQ scheme is used by the wireless device 104 ₂ fortransmitting to the RAN node 102 ₂ the uplink payload (e.g., a PageResponse 1212 consisting of a dummy LLC PDU) using the N_(TX, UL)pre-allocated UL radio blocks, wherein, after transmitting the uplinkpayload (Page Response 1212) the wireless device 104 ₂ waits for acorresponding PUAN message 1214.

Step 6: The RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS 102 ₂) transmits the PUAN message1214 to the wireless device 104 ₂ after attempting to receive theN_(TX, UL) pre-allocated UL radio blocks (Page Response 1212) from thewireless device 104 ₂. After transmitting the Page Response 1212, thewireless device 104 ₂ attempts to receive the PUAN message 121 ₄starting within the first possible set of EC-PACCH blocks correspondingto the wireless device 104 ₂'s assigned DL coverage class, as per FIG.2's Step 4 of the Fixed Uplink Allocation technique and discussed next:

-   -   The PUAN message 1214 includes a DL TBF resource assignment        message 1215, providing assigned DL EC-PDTCH resources (e.g.,        timeslots) and an indication where the wireless device 104 ₂ is        to start looking for RLC data blocks 1202 ₁, 1202 ₂, 1202 ₃ . .        . 1202 _(x) thereon according to a DRX cycle after first waiting        a certain time period (e.g., as indicated by the information        within the PUAN message 1214). This technique will save the        wireless device 104 ₂ from having to receive an additional        EC-AGCH message 718 as shown in FIG. 7.

Step 7: The RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS 102 ₂) relays a Paging Responsemessage 121 ₃ (e.g., a dummy LLC PDU) to the CN node 107 (e.g., SGSN107).

Step 8: The CN node 107 (e.g., SGSN 107) transmits a PDU including thepending downlink user plane payload 121 ₆ to the RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g.,BSS 102 ₂) from which the CN node 107 (e.g., SGSN 107) received thePaging Response message 121 ₃.

Step 9: The RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS 102 ₂) disassembles the PDUincluding the pending downlink user plane payload 121 ₆ into one or moreRLC data blocks 1202 ₁, 1202 ₂, 1202 ₃ . . . 1202 _(x) appropriate fortransmitting to the wireless device 104 ₂ over the radio interface.

Step 10: A HARQ scheme is used by the RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS 102 ₂)for transmitting the downlink payload 121 ₆ (RLC data blocks 1202 ₁,1202 ₂, 1202 ₃ . . . 1202 _(x)) to the wireless device 104 ₂. Thewireless device 104 ₂ may be polled for a PDAN message 1220 within oneor more of the variable number of RLC data blocks 1202 ₁, 1202 ₂, 1202 ₃. . . 1202 _(x) transmitted to the wireless device 104 ₂ prior to thepoint in time where the PDAN message 1220 is to be transmitted. Thefollowing is a discussion about how the wireless device 104 ₂ canfunction to receive the RLC data blocks 1202 ₁, 1202 ₂, 1202 ₃ . . .1202 _(x);

-   -   When attempting to find a DL RLC data block 1202 ₁ (for        example), the wireless device 104 ₂ examines fixed sets of        EC-PDTCH blocks based on the wireless device 104 ₂'s coverage        class. For example, if the wireless device 104 ₂ uses        N_(TX, DL)=2 (i.e., 2 blind repetitions) then it will only look        at fixed pairs of EC-PDTCH blocks in an attempt to receive a RLC        data block 1202 ₁ (for example) addressed to the wireless device        104 ₂'s assigned TFI on the wireless device 104 ₂'s assigned        timeslots. As such, the wireless device 104 ₂ will view each        52-multiframe on a monitored TS as potentially containing 6        pairs of EC-PDTCH blocks, where any one of these pairs may        potentially contain an expected RLC data block 1202 ₁.    -   If the RLC data block 1202 ₁ is not received within a set of        applicable EC-PDTCH blocks, then the wireless device 104 ₂        continues to read additional sets of EC-PDTCH blocks applicable        to the wireless device 104 ₂'s downlink coverage class.    -   For example, if the downlink payload 1216 transmission consists        of 5 MCS-1 RLC data blocks (X=5) and the N_(TX, DL) indicates 8        repetitions are needed, then a total of 40 radio blocks        (X*N_(TX, DL)) need to be transmitted. These 40 radio blocks        will be transmitted using 5 instances of 8 contiguous radio        blocks over the set of assigned timeslots. The time period        between the transmissions of any two successive RLC data blocks        (i.e., between instances of 8 contiguous radio blocks) is        variable, although the DL TBF resource assignment message 1215        may optionally indicate what this time period is in the interest        of the wireless device 104 ₂'s battery conservation.    -   The polling may be performed by including a polling field within        a set of one or more RLC data blocks 1202 ₁, 1202 ₂, 1202 ₃ . .        . 1202 _(x), where the polling field in each RLC data block 1202        ₁, 1202 ₂, 1202 ₃ . . . 1202 _(x) indicates the same point in        time at which the wireless device 104 ₂ is to transmit a PDAN        message 1220 on the UL EC-PACCH to the RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS        102 ₂).

Step 11: The PDAN message 1220 is transmitted by the wireless device 104₂ on the UL EC-PACCH to the RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS 102 ₂), whereinthe location of the first pre-allocated UL EC-PACCH block used totransmit the PDAN message 1220 is indicated by the polling informationincluded in one or more of the RLC data blocks 1202 ₁, 1202 ₂, 1202 ₃ .. . 1202 _(x) transmitted to the wireless device 104 ₂. The following isa more detailed discussion about the transmission and reception of thePDAN message 1220:

-   -   The location of the first UL EC-PACCH block used to transmit the        PDAN message 1220 may be expressed as an offset relative to DL        RLC data block 1202 ₁ (for example) from which the polling        information was read.    -   Alternatively, if the downlink assignment information indicates        that a specific number of DL RLC data blocks 1202 ₁, 1202 ₂,        1202 ₃ . . . 1202 _(x) will be transmitted contiguously prior to        polling, then upon receiving the last DL radio block 120 ₂, used        to convey the DL RLC data blocks 1202 ₁, 1202 ₂, 1202 ₃ . . .        1202 _(x), the wireless device 104 ₂ can transmit the PDAN        message 1220 using an offset (e.g., fixed or indicated by the        downlink assignment message 121 ₅) from the last DL radio block        1202 _(x) to determine where to start transmitting the PDAN        message 122 ₀. This same principle can be used where the        wireless device 104 ₂ has sent a PDAN message 1220 indicating        that one or more DL RLC data blocks 1202 ₂ (for example) need to        be resent (i.e., the wireless device 104 ₂ will expect all        resent DL RC data blocks 1202 ₂ (for example) to be transmitted        contiguously and thereby determine where to transmit the        corresponding PDAN message 122 ₀).    -   N_(TX, UL) contiguous radio blocks are pre-allocated for        transmission of the PDAN message 1220.    -   If the RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS 102 ₂) does not receive the        PDAN message 1220 within the pre-allocated UL radio blocks, then        the RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS 102 ₂) may resend a DL RLC data        block 1202 ₁ (for example) including polling information (a        repeated poll).    -   As such, after the wireless device 104 ₂ receives a DL RLC data        block 1202 x (for example) including polling information and        transmits the corresponding PDAN message indicating all DL RLC        data blocks 1202 ₁, 1202 ₂, 1202 ₃ . . . 1202 _(x) have been        received, the wireless device 104 ₂ should wait a limited amount        of time (e.g., indicated by the assignment message 1218) and        then start looking for the possible reception of a previously        received DL RLC data block 1202 ₁ (for example) including        polling information. This allows for the case where the RAN node        102 ₂ does not receive the PDAN message 1220 sent by the        wireless device 104 ₂ in response the repeated poll.    -   If the wireless device 104 ₂ is polled again within this limited        time window, the wireless device 104 ₂ should transmit another        PDAN message 1220 using the specific set of pre-allocated        N_(TX, UL) radio blocks as indicated by the repeated poll.        Otherwise, the wireless device 104 ₂ should release the DL TBF        and enter the EC-Idle state.    -   When transmitting the PDAN message 1220 indicating that one or        more DL RLC data blocks 1202 ₂ (for example) have not been        received, the wireless device 104 ₂ should continue to monitor        the assigned DL PDTCH resources for reception of the missing RLC        data blocks 1202 ₂ (for example) and then proceed, as per Step        10.

Referring to FIG. 13, there is a flowchart of a method 1300 implementedin a RAN node 102 ₂ (for example) in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present disclosure. At step 130 ₂, the RAN node 102 ₂ receives thepaging request message 120 ₄ from the CN node 107. The paging requestmessage 1204 is associated with the wireless device 104 ₂ (for example)(see FIG. 12's step 1 for additional details).

At step 1304, the RAN node 102 ₂ transmits one or more repetitions ofthe page message 1206 to the wireless device 104 ₂ (see FIG. 12's step 2for additional details). The number of repetitions of the page message1206 is based on the DL coverage class.

At step 1306, the RAN node 102 ₂ receives one or more repetitions of theaccess request message 1208 from the wireless device 104 ₂ (see FIG.12's step 3 for additional details). The access request message 1208requests resources for sending a Page Response message 121 ₂ andincludes an indication (N_(TX, DL)) of a DL coverage class. The numberof repetitions of the access request message 1208 is based on the ULcoverage class N_(TX, UL).

At step 1308, the RAN node 102 ₂ transmits one or more repetitions ofthe uplink assignment message 1210 to the wireless device 104 ₂ (seeFIG. 12's step 4 for additional details). The uplink assignment message1210 can comprise: (a) an indication of a number of pre-allocated radioblock(s) on a packet data traffic channel; (b) an indication(N_(TX, UL)) of an UL coverage class; (c) an indication (N_(TX, UL)) ofa DL coverage class; and (d) an indication of a starting point of thepre-allocated radio blocks that the wireless device 104 ₂ is to use totransmit the page response message 1212 to the RAN node 102 ₂. Thenumber of repetitions of the uplink assignment message 1210 is based onthe DL coverage class.

At step 1310, the RAN node 102 ₂ receives one or more repetitions of thepage response message 1212 from the wireless device 104 ₂ (see FIG. 12'sstep 5 for additional details). The page response message 1212 cancomprise: uplink payload (e.g., a dummy LLC PDU), where the uplinkpayload is received in the pre-allocated radio block(s). The pageresponse message 1212 is repeated according to the UL coverage class.

At step 1312, the RAN node 102 ₂ transmits one or more repetitions ofthe first acknowledgment message 1214 (e.g., PUAN message 1214) to thewireless device 1042 (see FIG. 12's step 6 for additional details). Thefirst acknowledgment message 1214 can comprise: (a) a DL TBF resourceassignment message 1215; (b) an indication where the wireless device 104₂ is to start looking for RLC data blocks 1202 ₁, 1202 ₂, 1202 ₃ . . .1202 _(x) thereon according to a DRX cycle after first waiting a certaintime period (e.g., as indicated by the information within the firstacknowledgment message 1214); (c) a first bitmap indicating receipt ofthe page response message 1212 by the RAN node 102 ₂, and (d) anindication (N_(TX, DL)) of a DL coverage class. The number ofrepetitions of the first acknowledgment message 1214 is based on the DLcoverage class.

At step 1314, the RAN node 102 ₂ transmits the paging response message1213 to the CN node 107 (see FIG. 12's step 7 for additional details).

At step 1316, the RAN node 102 ₂ receives a PDU including the downlinkpayload 1216 from the CN node 107 (see FIG. 12's step 8 for additionaldetails).

At step 1318, the RAN node 102 ₂ disassembles the PDU including thedownlink payload 1216 into one or more data blocks 1202 ₁, 1202 ₂ . . .1202 _(x) appropriate for transmission to the wireless device 104 ₂ overthe radio interface (see FIG. 12's step 9 for additional details).

At step 1320, the RAN node 102 ₂ transmits to the wireless device 104 ₂one or more repetitions of each of the data blocks 1202 ₁, 1202 ₂ . . .1202 _(x) using the assigned DL resources (see FIG. 12's step 10 foradditional details). The number of repetitions of each of the datablocks 1202 ₁, 1202 ₂ . . . 1202 _(x) is based on the DL coverage class.Further, all repetitions of each of the data blocks 1202 ₁, 1202 ₂ . . .1202 _(x) are transmitted contiguously to the wireless device 104 ₂, andeach of the data blocks 1202 ₁, 1202 ₂ . . . 1202 _(x) does not need tobe transmitted contiguously with respect to one another to the wirelessdevice 104 ₂.

At step 1322, the RAN node 102 ₂ receives one or more repetitions of thesecond acknowledgment message 1220 (e.g., PDAN message 122 ₀) from thewireless device 104 ₂ (see FIG. 12's step 11 for additional details).The second acknowledgment message 1220 comprises: a second bitmapindicating receipt of the data blocks 1202 ₁, 1202 ₂ . . . 1202 _(x) bythe wireless device 104 ₂. The number of repetitions of the secondacknowledgment message 1220 is based on the UL coverage class. The otherRAN node 102 ₁ can also be configured in a similar manner to performmethod 130 ₀.

Referring to FIG. 14, there is a block diagram illustrating structuresof an exemplary RAN node 102 ₂ (for example) configured in accordancewith an embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the RANnode 102 ₂ may comprise a first receive module 1402, a first transmitmodule 1404, a second receive module 1406, a second transmit module1408, a third receive module 1410, a third transmit module 1412, afourth transmit module 1414, a fourth receive module 1416, a disassemblemodule 1418, a fifth transmit module 1420, and a fifth receive module1424. The RAN node 102 ₂ may also include other components, modules orstructures which are well-known, but for clarity, only the components,modules or structures needed to describe the features of the presentdisclosure are described herein.

The first receive module 1402 can be configured to receive the pagingrequest message 1204 from the CN node 107. The paging request message1204 is associated with the wireless device 104 ₂ (for example) (seeFIG. 12's step 1 for additional details).

The first transmit module 1404 can be configured to transmit one or morerepetitions of the page message 1206 to the wireless device 104 ₂ (seeFIG. 12's step 2 for additional details). The number of repetitions ofthe page message 1206 is based on the DL coverage class.

The second receive module 1406 can be configured to receive one or morerepetitions of the access request message 1208 from the wireless device104 ₂ (see FIG. 12's step 3 for additional details). The access requestmessage 1208 requests resources for sending a Page Response message 1212and includes an indication (N_(TX, DL)) of a DL coverage class. Thenumber of repetitions of the access request message 1208 is based on theUL coverage class.

The second transmit module 1408 can be configured to transmit one ormore repetitions of the uplink assignment message 1210 to the wirelessdevice 104 ₂ (see FIG. 12's step 4 for additional details). The uplinkassignment message 1210 can comprise: (a) an indication of a number ofpre-allocated radio block(s) on a packet data traffic channel; (b) anindication (N_(TX, UL)) of an UL coverage class; (c) an indication(N_(TX, DL)) of a DL coverage class; and (d) an indication of a startingpoint of the pre-allocated radio blocks that the wireless device 104 ₂is to use to transmit the page response message 1212 to the RAN node 102₂. The number of repetitions of the uplink assignment message 1210 isbased on the DL coverage class.

The third receive module 1410 can be configured to receive one or morerepetitions of the page response message 1212 from the wireless device104 ₂ (see FIG. 12's step 5 for additional details). The page responsemessage 1212 can comprise: uplink payload (e.g., a dummy LLC PDU), wherethe uplink payload is received in the pre-allocated radio block(s). Thepage response message 1212 is repeated according to the UL coverageclass.

The third transmit module 1412 can be configured to transmit one or morerepetitions of the first acknowledgment message 1214 (e.g., PUAN message1214) to the wireless device 1042 (see FIG. 12's step 6 for additionaldetails). The first acknowledgment message 1214 can comprise: (a) a DLTBF resource assignment message 1215; (b) an indication where thewireless device 104 ₂ is to start looking for RLC data blocks 1202 ₁,1202 ₂, 1202 ₃ . . . 1202 _(x) thereon according to a DRX cycle afterfirst waiting a certain time period (e.g., as indicated by theinformation within the first acknowledgment message 1214); (c) a firstbitmap indicating receipt of the page response message 1212 by the RANnode 102 ₂; and (d) an indication (N_(TX, DL)) of a DL coverage class.The number of repetitions of the first acknowledgment message 1214 isbased on the DL coverage class.

The fourth transmit module 1414 can be configured to transmit the pagingresponse message 1213 to the CN node 107 (see FIG. 12's step 7 foradditional details).

The fourth receive module 1416 can be configured to receive a PDUincluding the downlink payload 1216 from the CN node 107 (see FIG. 12'sstep 8 for additional details).

The disassemble module 1418 can be configured to disassemble the PDUincluding the downlink payload 1216 into one or more data blocks 1202 ₁,1202 ₂ . . . 1202 _(x) appropriate for transmission to the wirelessdevice 104 ₂ over the radio interface (see FIG. 12's step 9 foradditional details).

The fifth transmit module 1420 can be configured to transmit to thewireless device 104 ₂ one or more repetitions of each of the data blocks1202 ₁, 1202 ₂ . . . 1202 _(x) using the assigned DL resources (see FIG.12's step 10 for additional details). The number of repetitions of eachof the data blocks 1202 ₁, 1202 ₂ . . . 1202 _(x) is based on the DLcoverage class. Further, all repetitions of each of the data blocks 1202₁, 1202 ₂ . . . 1202 _(x) are transmitted contiguously to the wirelessdevice 104 ₂, and each of the data blocks 1202 ₁, 1202 ₂ . . . 1202 _(x)does not need to be transmitted contiguously with respect to one anotherto the wireless device 104 ₂.

The fifth receive module 1422 can be configured to receive one or morerepetitions of the second acknowledgment message 1220 (e.g., PDANmessage 122 ₀) from the wireless device 104 ₂ (see FIG. 12's step 11 foradditional details). The second acknowledgment message 1220 comprises: asecond bitmap indicating receipt of the data blocks 1202 ₁, 1202 ₂ . . .1202 _(x) by the wireless device 104 ₂. The number of repetitions of thesecond acknowledgment message 1220 is based on the UL coverage class.The other RAN node 102 ₁ can also be configured in a similar manner toperform method 1300.

As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the above-described modules1402, 1404, 1406, 1408, 1410, 1412, 1414, 1416, 1418, 1420, and 1422 ofthe RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS 102 ₂) may be implemented separately assuitable dedicated circuits. Further, the modules 1402, 1404, 1406,1408, 1410, 1412, 1414, 1416, 1418, 1420, and 1422 can also beimplemented using any number of dedicated circuits through functionalcombination or separation. In some embodiments, the modules 1402, 1404,1406, 1408, 1410, 1412, 1414, 1416, 1418, 1420, and 14224 may be evencombined in a single application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Asan alternative software-based implementation, the RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g.,BSS 102 ₂) may comprise a memory 134 ₂, a processor 132 ₂ (including butnot limited to a microprocessor, a microcontroller or a Digital SignalProcessor (DSP), etc.) and a transceiver 122 ₂. The memory 134 ₂ storesmachine-readable program code executable by the processor 132 ₂ to causethe RAN node 102 ₂ (e.g., BSS 102 ₂) to perform the steps of theabove-described method 1300. It should be appreciated that the other RANnode 102 ₁ can also be configured in a similar manner as the RAN node102 ₂ to perform method 1300.

Referring to FIG. 15, there is a flowchart of a method 1500 implementedin a wireless device 104 ₂ (for example) in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure. At step 150 ₂, the wireless device104 ₂ receives one or more repetitions of the page message 1206 from theRAN node 102 ₂ (see FIG. 12's step 2 for additional details). The numberof repetitions of the page message 1206 is based on the DL coverageclass N_(TX, DL).

At step 1504, the wireless device 104 ₂ transmits one or morerepetitions of the access request message 1208 to the RAN node 102 ₂(see FIG. 12's step 3 for additional details). The access requestmessage 1208 requests resources for sending a Page Response message 1212and includes an indication (N_(TX, DL)) of a DL coverage class. Thenumber of repetitions of the access request message 1208 is based on theUL coverage class.

At step 1506, the wireless device 104 ₂ receives one or more repetitionsof the uplink assignment message 1210 from the RAN node 102 ₂ (see FIG.12's step 4 for additional details). The uplink assignment message 1210can comprise: (a) an indication of a number of pre-allocated radioblock(s) on a packet data traffic channel; (b) an indication(N_(TX, UL)) of an UL coverage class; (c) an indication (N_(TX, DL)) ofa DL coverage class; and (d) an indication of a starting point of thepre-allocated radio blocks that the wireless device 104 ₂ is to use totransmit the page response message 1212 to the RAN node 102 ₂. Thenumber of repetitions of the uplink assignment message 1210 is based onthe DL coverage class.

At step 1508, the wireless device 104 ₂ transmits one or morerepetitions of the page response message 1212 to the RAN node 102 ₂ (seeFIG. 12's step 5 for additional details). The page response message 1212can comprise: uplink payload (e.g., a dummy LLC PDU), where the uplinkpayload is received in the pre-allocated radio block(s). The pageresponse message 1212 is repeated according to the UL coverage class.

At step 1510, the wireless device 104 ₂ receives one or more repetitionsof the first acknowledgment message 1214 (e.g., PUAN message 1214) fromthe RAN node 102 ₂ (see FIG. 12's step 6 for additional details). Thefirst acknowledgment message 1214 can comprise: (a) a DL TBF resourceassignment message 1215; (b) an indication where the wireless device 104₂ is to start looking for RLC data blocks 1202 ₁, 1202 ₂, 1202 ₃ . . .1202 _(x) thereon according to a DRX cycle after first waiting a certaintime period (e.g., as indicated by the information within the firstacknowledgment message 1214); (c) a first bitmap indicating receipt ofthe page response message 1212 by the RAN node 102 ₂; and (d) anindication (N_(TX, DL)) of a DL coverage class. The number ofrepetitions of the first acknowledgment message 1214 is based on the DLcoverage class.

At step 1512, the wireless device 104 ₂ receives from the RAN node 102 ₂one or more repetitions of each of the data blocks 1202 ₁, 1202 ₂ . . .1202 _(x) using the assigned DL resources (see FIG. 12's step 10 foradditional details). The number of repetitions of each of the datablocks 1202 ₁, 1202 ₂ . . . 1202 _(x) is based on the DL coverage class.Further, all repetitions of each of the data blocks 1202 ₁, 1202 ₂ . . .1202 _(x) are received contiguously by the wireless device 104 ₂, andeach of the data blocks 1202 ₁, 1202 ₂ . . . 1202 _(x) does not need tobe received contiguously with respect to one another by the wirelessdevice 104 ₂.

At step 1514, the wireless device 104 ₂ transmits one or morerepetitions of the second acknowledgment message 1220 (e.g., PDANmessage 122 ₀) to the RAN node 102 ₂ (see FIG. 12's step 11 foradditional details). The second acknowledgment message 1220 comprises: asecond bitmap indicating receipt of the data blocks 1202 ₁, 1202 ₂ . . .1202 _(x) by the wireless device 104 ₂. The number of repetitions of thesecond acknowledgment message 1220 is based on the UL coverage class.The other wireless devices 104 ₁, 104 ₃ . . . 104 _(n), can also beconfigured in a similar manner to perform method 1500.

Referring to FIG. 16, there is a block diagram illustrating structuresof an exemplary wireless device 104 ₂ (for example) configured inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In oneembodiment, the wireless device 104 ₂ may comprise a first receivemodule 1602, a first transmit module 1604, a second receive module 1606,a second transmit module 1608, a third receive module 1610, a fourthreceive module 1612, and a third transmit module 1116. The wirelessdevice 104 ₂ may also include other components, modules or structureswhich are well-known, but for clarity, only the components, modules orstructures needed to describe the features of the present disclosure aredescribed herein.

The first receive module 1602 can be configured to receive one or morerepetitions of the page message 1206 from the RAN node 102 ₂ (see FIG.12's step 2 for additional details). The number of repetitions of thepage message 1206 is based on the DL coverage class.

The first transmit module 1604 can be configured to transmit one or morerepetitions of the access request message 1208 to the RAN node 102 ₂(see FIG. 12's step 3 for additional details). The access requestmessage 1208 requests resources for sending a Page Response message 1212and includes an indication (N_(TX, DL)) of a DL coverage class. Thenumber of repetitions of the access request message 1208 is based on theUL coverage class.

The second receive module 1606 can be configured to receive one or morerepetitions of the uplink assignment message 1210 from the RAN node 102₂ (see FIG. 12's step 4 for additional details). The uplink assignmentmessage 1210 can comprise: (a) an indication of a number ofpre-allocated radio block(s) on a packet data traffic channel; (b) anindication (N_(TX, UL)) of an UL coverage class; (c) an indication(N_(TX, DL)) of a DL coverage class; and (d) an indication of startingpoint of the pre-allocated radio blocks that the wireless device 104 ₂is to use to transmit the page response message 1212 to the RAN node 102₂. The number of repetitions of the uplink assignment message 1210 isbased on the DL coverage class.

The second transmit module 1608 can be configured to transmit one ormore repetitions of the page response message 1212 to the RAN node 102 ₂(see FIG. 12's step 5 for additional details). The page response message1212 can comprise: uplink payload (e.g., a dummy LLC PDU), where theuplink payload is received in the pre-allocated radio block(s). The pageresponse message 1212 is repeated according to the UL coverage class.

The third receive module 1610 can be configured to receive one or morerepetitions of the first acknowledgment message 1214 (e.g., PUAN message1214) from the RAN node 102 ₂ (see FIG. 12's step 6 for additionaldetails). The first acknowledgment message 121 ₄ can comprise: (a) a DLTBF resource assignment message 121 ₅; (b) an indication where thewireless device 104 ₂ is to start looking for RLC data blocks 1202 ₁,1202 ₂, 1202 ₃ . . . 1202 _(x) thereon according to a DRX cycle afterfirst waiting a certain time period (e.g., as indicated by theinformation within the first acknowledgment message 1214); (c) a firstbitmap indicating receipt of the page response message 1212 by the RANnode 102 ₂ and (d) an indication (N_(TX, DL)) of a DL coverage class.The number of repetitions of the first acknowledgment message 1214 isbased on the DL coverage class.

The fourth receive module 1612 can be configured to receive from the RANnode 102 ₂ one or more repetitions of each of the data blocks 1202 ₁,1202 ₂ . . . 1202 _(x) using the assigned DL resources (see FIG. 12'sstep 10 for additional details). The number of repetitions of each ofthe data blocks 1202 ₁, 1202 ₂ . . . 1202 _(x) is based on the DLcoverage class. Further, all repetitions of each of the data blocks 1202₁, 1202 ₂ . . . 1202 _(x) are received contiguously by the wirelessdevice 104 ₂, and each of the data blocks 1202 ₁, 1202 ₂ . . . 1202 _(x)does not need to be received contiguously with respect to one another bythe wireless device 104 ₂.

The third transmit module 1614 can be configured to transmit one or morerepetitions of the second acknowledgment message 1220 (e.g., PDANmessage 1220) to the RAN node 102 ₂ (see FIG. 12's step 11 foradditional details). The second acknowledgment message 1220 comprises: asecond bitmap indicating receipt of the data blocks 1202 ₁, 1202 ₂ . . .1202 _(x) by the wireless device 104 ₂. The number of repetitions of thesecond acknowledgment message 1220 is based on the UL coverage class.The other wireless devices 104 ₁, 104 ₃ . . . 104 _(n) can also beconfigured in a similar manner to perform method 150 ₀.

As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the above-described modules1602, 1604, 1606, 1608, 1610, 1612, and 1614 of the wireless device 104₂ (e.g., MS 104 ₂) may be implemented separately as suitable dedicatedcircuits. Further, the modules 1602, 1604, 1606, 1608, 1610, 1612, and1614 can also be implemented using any number of dedicated circuitsthrough functional combination or separation. In some embodiments, themodules 1602, 1604, 1606, 1608, 1610, 1612, and 1614 may be evencombined in a single application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Asan alternative software-based implementation, the wireless device 104 ₂may comprise a memory 120 ₂, a processor 118 ₂ (including but notlimited to a microprocessor, a microcontroller or a Digital SignalProcessor (DSP), etc.) and a transceiver 110 ₂. The memory 120 ₂ storesmachine-readable program code executable by the processor 118 ₂ to causethe wireless device 104 ₂ to perform the steps of the above-describedmethod 1500. It should be appreciated that the other wireless devices104 ₁, 104 ₃ . . . 104 _(n) can also be configured in a similar manneras the wireless device 104 ₂ to perform method 1500.

Normal Coverage Wireless Devices

USF-based scheduling as per current GSM operation can be used forwireless devices 104 ₃ (for example) in normal coverage, therebyallowing the USF to be included within DL radio blocks 202 ₁, 202 ₂ . .. 202 _(x) transmitted on the EC-PDTCH/EC-PACCH to the wireless devices104 ₂, 104 ₄ . . . 104 _(n) (for example) in extended coverage so theUSF can still be used by the wireless devices 104 ₃ (for example) innormal coverage to schedule UL transmissions. The features of ULscheduling are summarized in TABLE #4 below.

TABLE #4 Uplink Scheduling Features DL Coverage Class UL Coverage Class(receiver of data) (sender of data) UL based scheduling principle NormalNormal USF or Fixed UL Allocation Normal Extended USF or Fixed ULallocation Extended Normal Fixed Uplink Allocation Extended ExtendedFixed UL allocationSummary

The features of the Fixed Uplink Allocation (FUA) technique and theFlexible Downlink Allocation (FDA) technique as described herein areproposed for supporting EC-GSM wireless devices 104 ₁, 104 ₂, 104 ₃ . .. 104 _(n).

The Fixed Uplink Allocation technique allows for uplink transmissionsfrom EC-GSM wireless devices 104 ₁, 104 ₂, 104 ₃ . . . 104 _(n) (normalor extended coverage classes) on the same Packet Data Traffic Channel(PDTCH) resources used to serve legacy wireless devices. The use ofUSF-based uplink transmission is not practical for wireless devices inextended coverage as it would impose the restriction of schedulinguplink transmissions from a wireless device of a certain coverage classwhile simultaneously sending downlink payload to a wireless device ofthe same coverage class.

The Flexible Downlink Allocation technique allows for downlinktransmissions to EC-GSM devices 104 ₁, 104 ₂, 104 ₃ . . . 104 _(n)(normal or extended coverage classes) on the same PDTCH resources usedto serve legacy wireless devices by keeping the Temporary Flow Identity(TFI) field in the same location in all downlink radio block headersregardless of if the radio block is sent to a legacy wireless device oran EC-GSM wireless device 104 ₁, 104 ₂, 104 ₃ . . . 104 _(n).

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the use of the term“exemplary” is used herein to mean “illustrative,” or “serving as anexample,” and is not intended to imply that a particular embodiment ispreferred over another or that a particular feature is essential.Likewise, the terms “first” and “second,” and similar terms, are usedsimply to distinguish one particular instance of an item or feature fromanother, and do not indicate a particular order or arrangement, unlessthe context clearly indicates otherwise. Further, the term “step,” asused herein, is meant to be synonymous with “operation” or “action.” Anydescription herein of a sequence of steps does not imply that theseoperations must be carried out in a particular order, or even that theseoperations are carried out in any order at all, unless the context orthe details of the described operation clearly indicates otherwise.

Of course, the present disclosure may be carried out in other specificways than those herein set forth without departing from the scope andessential characteristics of the invention. One or more of the specificprocesses discussed above may be carried out in a cellular phone orother communications transceiver comprising one or more appropriatelyconfigured processing circuits, which may in some embodiments beembodied in one or more application-specific integrated circuits(ASICs). In some embodiments, these processing circuits may comprise oneor more microprocessors, microcontrollers, and/or digital signalprocessors programmed with appropriate software and/or firmware to carryout one or more of the operations described above, or variants thereof.In some embodiments, these processing circuits may comprise customizedhardware to carry out one or more of the functions described above. Thepresent embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive.

Although multiple embodiments of the present disclosure have beenillustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoingDetailed Description, it should be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed embodiments, but instead is also capable ofnumerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions withoutdeparting from the present disclosure that as has been set forth anddefined within the following claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A radio access network (RAN) nodeconfigured to interact with a core network (CN) node and a wirelessdevice, the RAN node comprising: a processor; and, a memory-that storesprocessor-executable instructions, wherein the processor interfaces withthe memory to execute the processor-executable instructions, whereby theRAN node is operable to: receive, from the wireless device, one or morerepetitions of an access request message, wherein the access requestmessage comprises: an indication of a number of data blocks the wirelessdevice intends to transmit to the RAN node; and transmit, to thewireless device, one or more repetitions of an uplink assignmentmessage, wherein the uplink assignment message comprises: an indicationof a number of pre-allocated radio blocks on a packet data trafficchannel; an indication (N_(TX, UL)) of an Uplink (UL) coverage class;and an indication of a starting point of the pre-allocated radio blocksthat the wireless device is to use to transmit a first data block fromthe data blocks that the wireless device intends to transmit to the RANnode, wherein the pre-allocated radio blocks are allocated such that allrepetitions of each of the data blocks are to be transmittedcontiguously by the wireless device, and wherein the pre-allocated radioblocks are allocated such that each of the data blocks does not need tobe transmitted contiguously with respect to one another by the wirelessdevice.
 2. The RAN node of claim 1, wherein the access request messagefurther comprises: an indication (N_(TX, DL)) of a Downlink (DL)coverage class estimated by the wireless device.
 3. The RAN node ofclaim 1, wherein the uplink assignment message further comprises: anindication (N_(TX, DL)) of a Downlink (DL) coverage class; and anindication of starting points of the pre-allocated radio blocks that thewireless device is to use to transmit the data blocks subsequent to thefirst data block that the wireless device intends to transmit to the RANnode.
 4. The RAN node of claim 1, wherein the RAN node is furtheroperable to: receive, from the wireless device, a portion of the numberof data blocks in a portion of the pre-allocated radio blocks, andwherein each of the received data blocks has been repeated according tothe UL coverage class.
 5. A method in a radio access network (RAN)node-configured to interact with a core network (CN) node-and a wirelessdevice, the method comprising: receiving, from the wireless device, oneor more repetitions of an access request message, wherein the accessrequest message comprises: an indication of a number of data blocks thewireless device intends to transmit to the RAN node; and transmitting,to the wireless device, one or more repetitions of an uplink assignmentmessage, wherein the uplink assignment message comprises: an indicationof a number of pre-allocated radio blocks on a packet data trafficchannel; an indication (N_(TX, UL)) of an Uplink (UL) coverage class;and an indication of a starting point of the pre-allocated radio blocksthat the wireless device is to use to transmit a first data block fromthe data blocks that the wireless device intends to transmit to the RANnode, wherein the pre-allocated radio blocks are allocated such that allrepetitions of each of the data blocks are to be transmittedcontiguously by the wireless device, and wherein the pre-allocated radioblocks are allocated such that each of the data blocks does not need tobe transmitted contiguously with respect to one another by the wirelessdevice.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the access request messagefurther comprises: an indication (N_(TX, DL)) of a Downlink (DL)coverage class estimated by the wireless device.
 7. The method of claim5, wherein the uplink assignment message further comprises: anindication (N_(TX, DL)) of a Downlink (DL) coverage class; and anindication of starting points of the pre-allocated radio blocks that thewireless device is to use to transmit the data blocks subsequent to thefirst data block that the wireless device intends to transmit to the RANnode.
 8. The method of claim 5, further comprising: receiving, from thewireless device, a portion of the number of data blocks in a portion ofthe pre-allocated radio blocks, and wherein each of the received datablocks has been repeated according to the UL coverage class.
 9. Awireless device configured to interact with a radio access network (RAN)node, the wireless device comprising: a processor; and, a memory thatstores processor-executable instructions, wherein the processorinterfaces with the memory to execute the processor-executableinstructions, whereby the wireless device is operable to: transmit, tothe RAN node, one or more repetitions of an access request message,wherein the access request message comprises: an indication of a numberof data blocks the wireless device intends to transmit to the RAN node;and receive, from the RAN node, one or more repetitions of an uplinkassignment message, wherein the uplink assignment message comprises: anindication of a number of pre-allocated radio blocks on a packet datatraffic channel; an indication (N_(TX, UL)) of an Uplink (UL) coverageclass; and an indication of a starting point of the pre-allocated radioblocks that the wireless device is to use to transmit a first data blockfrom the data blocks that the wireless device intends to transmit to theRAN node, wherein the pre-allocated radio blocks are allocated such thatall repetitions of each of the data blocks are to be transmittedcontiguously by the wireless device, and wherein the pre-allocated radioblocks are allocated such that each of the data blocks does not need tobe transmitted contiguously with respect to one another by the wirelessdevice.
 10. The wireless device of claim 9, wherein the access requestmessage further comprises: an indication (N_(TX, DL)) of a Downlink (DL)coverage class estimated by the wireless device.
 11. The wireless deviceof claim 9, wherein the uplink assignment message further comprises: anindication (N_(TX, DL)) of a Downlink (DL) coverage class; and anindication of starting points of the pre-allocated radio blocks that thewireless device is to use to transmit the data blocks subsequent to thefirst data block that the wireless device intends to transmit to the RANnode.
 12. The wireless device of claim 9, wherein the wireless device isfurther operable to: transmit, to the RAN node, the data blocks usingthe pre-allocated radio blocks, and wherein each of the transmitted datablocks has been repeated according to the UL coverage class.
 13. Amethod in a wireless device configured to interact with a radio accessnetwork (RAN) node, the method comprising: transmitting, to the RANnode, one or more repetitions of an access request message, wherein theaccess request message comprises: an indication of a number of datablocks the wireless device intends to transmit to the RAN node; andreceiving, from the RAN node, one or more repetitions of an uplinkassignment message, wherein the uplink assignment message comprises: anindication of a number of pre-allocated radio blocks on a packet datatraffic channel; an indication (N_(TX, UL)) of an Uplink (UL) coverageclass; and an indication of a starting point of the pre-allocated radioblocks that the wireless device is to use to transmit a first data blockfrom the data blocks that the wireless device intends to transmit to theRAN node, wherein the pre-allocated radio blocks are allocated such thatall repetitions of each of the data blocks are to be transmittedcontiguously by the wireless device, and wherein the pre-allocated radioblocks are allocated such that each of the data blocks does not need tobe transmitted contiguously with respect to one another by the wirelessdevice.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the access request messagefurther comprises: an indication (N_(TX, DL)) of a Downlink (DL)coverage class estimated by the wireless device.
 15. The method of claim13, wherein the uplink assignment message further comprises: anindication (N_(TX, DL)) of a Downlink (DL) coverage class; and anindication of starting points of the pre-allocated radio blocks that thewireless device is to use to transmit the data blocks subsequent to thefirst data block that the wireless device intends to transmit to the RANnode.
 16. The method of claim 13, further comprising: transmitting, tothe RAN node, the data blocks using the pre-allocated radio blocks, andwherein each of the transmitted data blocks has been repeated accordingto the UL coverage class.